‘Time to work together,’ UPND youths beg ex-president Lungu to partner Hichilema after being barred from 2026 polls (video)

UPND National Youth Chairperson, Giobert Liswaniso, has urged the church to engage former President Edgar Lungu, encouraging him to embrace the role of a statesman and collaborate with President Hakainde Hichilema in driving the country’s development.

Liswaniso also called for respect toward Lungu following the Constitutional Court’s ruling, which barred him from running in future elections after serving two terms as Head of State.

At a media briefing on Wednesday at the UPND Youth Secretariat in Northmead, Lusaka, Liswaniso stressed that the time had come for Lungu to consider working alongside President Hichilema for the betterment of the nation.

He praised the media for its professionalism in handling the case and encouraged journalists to continue upholding high reporting standards.

“I want to encourage the church to engage Mr. Lungu on the need for him to now start playing the role of a statesman. We have seen former vice presidents being engaged to work with President Hichilema, and this should be the same with him,” Liswaniso stated.

He further stated that Zambia now had a Sixth Republican President, and that Lungu should be treated with the respect his office commands, rather than being the subject of insults.

Liswaniso also appealed to fellow politicians to avoid politicking and instead focus on providing practical alternative solutions to government policies.

“It’s now time to work together and ensure that we deliver to the people. We shall do politics in 2026 during the general elections campaign,” Liswaniso added.

WARNING! All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express permission from ZAMBIA MONITOR.