Author Archives: zamobserver

Judicial Integrity at Stake: The Controversy Over Former President Dr. Edgar Lungu’s 2026 Eligibility By Thandiwe Ketis Ngoma The debate around former President Dr Edgar Chagwa Lungu’s eligibility to contest in the 2026 elections has reignited deep divisions within Zambia’s political and legal landscape. UPND sympathizers have repeatedly argued that it is the Constitution—and not President Hakainde Hichilema (HH)—that has barred Dr. Lungu from seeking a return to office. However, this narrative does not hold water when examined against the backdrop of the Constitutional Court’s precedents and the suspicious circumstances surrounding this latest ruling. The Constitutional Court’s Previous Rulings on Dr. Lungu’s Eligibility The Constitutional Court, Zambia’s ultimate authority on constitutional matters, had on several occasions unequivocally ruled that Dr. Lungu was eligible to run for office. These rulings were

JAY JAY BANDA ARRESTED By Balewa Zyuulu Fugitive Petauke Central Member of Parliament Emmauel Jay Banda has been apprehended in Harare, Zimbabwe, where he was renting a flat. Addressing the media in Lusaka this afternoon, Home Affairs and Internal Security Minister Jack Mwiimbu says Mr Banda who escaped from lawful custody in august this year was apprehended yesterday and that government is working with the authorities in that country to extradite Mr. Banda back to Zambia. Mr. Mwiimbu has also clarified claims by the opposition Patriotic Front that Mr Banda did not surrender himself to authorities in an attempt to avoid losing his parliamentary seat, following a seven-day ultimatum given by National Assembly Speaker Nelly Mutti yesterday. He has disclosed that the fugitive lawmaker is currently detained at a police