Controversy Reigns: Miles Sampa Elected PF Party President

This week, during the Patriotic Front’s (PF) Extraordinary General Conference at Lusaka’s Mulungushi International Conference Centre, Miles Sampa was officially declared Party President after securing over 2,000 votes and defeating six other candidates. He currently serves as MP for Matero, Lusaka.

After being announced victorious, Sampa apparently pledged his commitment towards party unity, despite previous issues. Only earlier this year in January, Miles Sampa was temporarily suspended from the PF for casting aspersions against other party members in bad taste and causing internal division.

The election itself comes amidst dispute within the PF, leading to a divided convention.

Sampa then surprisingly appointed Morgan Ng’ona as PF Secretary General, which caused further concern amongst party members.

Robert Chabinga, MP for Mafinga, also pledged his support for Sampa’s presidency before the election, revealing existing divisions within the PF.

However, some have pushed back against this decision. Despite Samba’s apparent victory, Emmanuel Mwamba, PF Chairperson for Information and Publicity, issued a party statement on their stance on the convention.

He contested that the Extraordinary General Conference was illegal and therefore undemocratic. As a result, Sampa ought to remain suspended from the party. Mwamba was sure to emphasise that Sampa could not hold any official role or activity in the name of the Patriotic Front.

His statement implied that the PF’s constitution outlines any procedures for calling and conducting General Conferences; according to their interpretation, the convention contravened those rules.

The Extraordinary General Conference’s controversy has left the PF more divided and further in disarray. Uncertainty looms over the party’s future.

At the same time, the PF’s Secretariat, since Sampa’s election, has encouraged members of the public to disregard the conference and ignore any appointments made during it, making way for potential legal and political feuds in the following days.