By Evans Dakwa
When Edgar Lungu, the former president of Zambia died in South Africa, many observers and political analyst were left wondering who would mount a serious challenge to incumbent Hakainde Hichilema in Zambia’s 2026 elections.
At the time of his death, Lungu was in a protracted political battle with Hichilema, who appeared hell bent on making sure his predecessor would not mount any challenge to his rule by all means necessary. Chagwa as the late Lungu was affectionately known, was on record with plans to return to the political scene.
But now, Hichilema might have a new headache from a person with “royal blood” in the form of former president Rupiah Banda’s niece Dolika Banda. She announced her grand entrance into the presidential hat with a scathing but thinly veiled attack on the leadership of Hichilema saying she has been compelled to run for the presidency because Zambia is “lacking leadership.”
“Zambia stands at a defining moment in our time and history. For too long, leadership in our nation has been reduced to political gamesmanship, personal ambition, and the endless recycling of empty promises. What our people deserve is not more rhetoric but serious, selfless leadership,” she said in a press statement.
” It is with this conviction that, after much reflection and prayer, I have decided to offer myself to serve as President of the Republic of Zambia in 2026. I believe leadership is service, not an opportunity for wealth or self-promotion.”
Dolika is dangling the integrity carrot to Zambians promising change and delivery of their most pressing issues as she seeks their support for her presidential ambitions.
“Leadership, to me, is not about occupying office, it is about delivering change that is felt in the lives of ordinary citizens.It requires rolling up our sleeves and addressing the urgent challenges that face our nation: jobs for our youth, affordable healthcare, access to quality education, food security, and dignity for every citizen.”
” For me, integrity is non-negotiable. When I resigned from my position as Chairperson of ZCCM-IH, I did so because I refused to be a pawn of political interference. I chose principle over position then, and I will continue to choose principle over politics now. Zambia deserves institutions that work for the people, not for the few.”
She lamented the current leadership of Zambia for failing to maximize Zambia’s potential adding she is ready to lead not for herself but for generations that will come long after the current one is gone.
Dolika’s uncle, Rupiah Banda was the fourth President of Zambia, serving from 2008 to 2011. He assumed office after the death of Levy Mwanawasa in 2008, first as acting president, before winning the election later that year under the Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD). His presidency focused on economic growth driven by the mining sector, attracting foreign investment, and infrastructure development.
However, his administration was criticised for allegations of corruption and patronage politics, and in 2011 he was defeated by Michael Sata of the Patriotic Front (PF).Slide clipboard items to delete themPin clipboard items to stop them expiring after 1 hour
