Edgar Lungu Addresses the Nation Following Constitutional Court Verdict
Edgar Chagwa Lungu, the sixth President of Zambia and leader of the Patriotic Front (PF), has made a resolute statement on his Facebook page following the Constitutional Court’s verdict declaring him ineligible to stand in the 2026 presidential elections. In his address, Lungu touches on the deeper issues of judicial independence, political machinations, and the state of Zambia’s democratic foundations.
MY RESPONSE TO THE CONSTITUTIONAL COURT JUDGEMENT TODAY
Dear fellow Zambians, esteemed members of the press, patriots, and everyone committed to our nation’s constitutional democracy:
We find ourselves at a crucial crossroads—a moment of reflection and solidarity where our collective destiny is being scrutinized. The verdict handed down today was no surprise. It was shaped not by reasoned debate or adherence to constitutional integrity, but by the influence of orchestrated political forces. The forces that brought us here were not the will of reason but the manipulation of strategic interests. We were observing closely.
A History of Conflict and Judicial Manipulation
To truly grasp the gravity of today’s outcome, we must go back to the events that brought us to this point. This battle started with a petition aimed at disqualifying me—not through the people’s choice at the ballot box but through the intervention of influential political forces. The intervention saw our Constitutional Court reshaped, judges expelled, and a series of calculated decisions made to fit a predetermined outcome rather than the pursuit of justice.
Yes, judges were displaced so that others, loyal to a certain political agenda, would remain. We saw procedural decisions justified only by expedience and a commitment to achieving a pre-determined result. This reshuffling of the judiciary was not about fairness but about control. These decisions were made with one goal: to consolidate power rather than uphold democracy.
A Verdict That Declares Ineligibility
Now, the court has issued its final ruling, declaring me ineligible to contest in 2026. I do not reject this decision with resentment but rather with a commitment to resolve. This ruling transcends my personal ambitions. It is about safeguarding Zambia’s democratic institutions and addressing the growing erosion of judicial independence. It highlights a dangerous precedent where power-driven interests compromise the very institutions meant to uphold justice and democracy.
Upholding Democracy with Plan B
But, fellow Zambians, from this unfortunate ruling, a new resolve rises. Democracy is not just a system of governance; it is the foundation of our identity as a nation. I declare today that Plan B is now in motion. Plan B is not a retreat but a commitment to strengthening our democratic process, a recalibration of our efforts to ensure that democracy serves the people rather than the ambitions of an elite few.
Plan B stands for the belief that power should belong to the people, that democracy is a commitment that must outlive temporary setbacks, and that no manipulation or short-term political strategy can extinguish the will of Zambians. We will show that Zambia’s democracy cannot be subjugated by manipulated verdicts. We will demonstrate that victory belongs to the people, not to ruling elites and their proxies.
A Call for Unity and Determination
To those who believe today’s ruling is a victory, I have a message: History will judge not only what was decided in courtrooms but also in the hearts of our people. The true test of our democracy will come not from temporary political triumphs but in the resilience and determination of Zambians standing together for what is just, fair, and constitutional.
Let us move forward with unwavering dignity and resolve. Together, let’s prove that our democracy will emerge stronger, not weaker. We will uphold the principles that democracy is about the voice of the people, transparency, and constitutional adherence.
Today, we march forward together with renewed determination, knowing that our collective spirit will ensure that democracy, transparency, and constitutional integrity will not be compromised.
Edgar Chagwa Lungu
Sixth President of Zambia
PF President and Tonse Alliance 2026 Presidential Candidate
