Political developments within the opposition are accelerating, with New Congress Party (NCP) president Peter Chanda withdrawing his bid for the Republican presidency and throwing his full support behind Makebi Zulu as the party’s presidential candidate.
Chanda confirmed that the party has resolved to rally behind Zulu, signaling a significant shift in the NCP’s leadership direction as opposition alliances continue to realign ahead of the August 2026 General Election.
This move comes just days after the NCP was readmitted into the Tonse Alliance under the Given Lubinda–led faction, a development that now places Zulu at the centre of the alliance’s internal power matrix.
What this means politically
The endorsement opens two possible paths:
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If the Given Lubinda–led Tonse Alliance holds an elective congress, Makebi Zulu could emerge as the alliance’s consensus or adopted presidential candidate through the NCP platform.
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If alliance processes stall or remain disputed, the NCP is positioned to proceed independently, with Zulu running on the party’s ticket while still aligned to Tonse’s broader opposition cooperation framework.
Analysts say the development strengthens Zulu’s standing in the reconfigured opposition bloc and signals continued consolidation of smaller parties around identifiable leadership figures.
The decision also underscores the fluid nature of Tonse Alliance politics, where internal contests over structure, legitimacy and candidature remain unresolved.
Zambian Eye will continue tracking reactions within the Tonse Alliance and the broader opposition space as the 2026 race takes shape.