Chawama has taken the lead, let Zambia follow!
People's Cup Tournament 2025 sponsor Sebastian Kopulande at Woodlands A School, Chindo Road in Lusaka.
Press Statement by Dr. Sebastian C. Kopulande
aspiring presidential candidate (People’s Party)
Friday, 16 January 2026
People’s Party President Dr. Sebastian C Kopulande congratulates the people of Chawama for a courageous and progressive vote
Fellow citizens, and the people of Chawama in particular,
I wish to warmly congratulate the people of Chawama for the peaceful, courageous, and principled manner in which you exercised your democratic right in the by-election held on Thursday, 15 January 2026.
By electing Bright Nundwe of the Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD)
with 8,085 votes, ahead of Morgan Muunda of the ruling United Party for National Development (UPND) who polled 6,542 votes, the people of Chawama have spoken clearly and decisively.
Out of 18,096 votes cast, this outcome represents a firm, democratic verdict.
On Tuesday, 13 January 2026, I appealed to the people of Chawama to use this by-election as a peaceful protest against injustice, wasteful governance, and divisive politics.
Clearly, you, the people of Chawama, understood and delivered a befitting verdict against arrogance, insensitivity, and political intolerance. Your vote was not merely about choosing a Member of Parliament.
It was a powerful statement that Zambians will not be taken for granted; that grief must not be politicised; that national resources must not be squandered; and that divisive regionalism have no place in our democracy.
By your vote, you have mourned late 6th President Edgar Chagwa Lungu and avenged your former Member of Parliament Hon. Tasila Lungu-Mwansa for the injustice done to her by the Speaker of the National Assembly Nelly Butete Kashumba Mutti who cruelly nulified her parliamentary seat despite her circumstances.
Chawama has once again proven itself to be a constituency of courage, conscience, and progressive politics.
You have reminded the nation that power ultimately belongs to the people and that when citizens stand united, no amount of intimidation, manipulation or “imingalato” can silence their voice.
I wish to congratulate the Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD) and Hon. Bright Nundwe on this victory, and I urge him to serve the people of Chawama with humility, diligence, and an unwavering commitment to their welfare.
Above all, I salute the people of Chawama. You have written an important chapter in Zambia’s democratic journey and sent a clear national message: the people are watching, the people are thinking, and the people will decide come August.
May God bless Chawama.
May God bless our democracy.
May God bless and reunite Zambia and
May Zambia learn from Chawama as we go into August. I THANK YOU
Signed
Dr. Sebastian C. Kopulande
Aspiring Presidential Candidate (People’s Party)
Lusaka, 16 January 2026
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