Willah Joseph Mudolo, a businessman and presidential aspirant. Image: Supplied
Willah Joseph Mudolo
Mudolo, a South African‑based businessman with longstanding ties to the PF, has in recent weeks emerged as a prominent figure in the ongoing leadership disagreement that has divided party members and generated legal challenges.
A leadership dispute within Zambia’s main opposition party, the Patriotic Front (PF), has intensified as Willah Joseph Mudolo, a businessman and presidential aspirant, positions himself at the centre of intra‑party contestation ahead of the 2026 general election.
Mudolo, a South African‑based businessman with longstanding ties to the PF, has in recent weeks emerged as a prominent figure in the ongoing leadership disagreement that has divided party members and generated legal challenges. His stance on party legitimacy and adherence to constitutional processes has drawn national attention, even as rival factions continue to assert competing claims to leadership roles.
Willah Mudolo also gained heightened visibility in Zambia following his role in the protracted dispute over arrangements for the burial of former president Edgar Chagwa Lungu. Lungu’s death in South Africa sparked diplomatic and legal wrangling, during which Mudolo advocated for a lawful and dignified resolution, earning him public recognition as a unifying voice in sensitive national discussions.
His supporters argue that his principled approach, particularly his insistence on constitutional discipline, sets him apart from other figures embroiled in the PF’s internal battles.
At the centre of the current controversy is a factional split within the PF that has seen rival groups attempt to convene party meetings and conventions to select new leadership. In March, one such faction held a convention, resulting in the election of Makebi Zulu as party president with around 49% of the vote. Some party members, including Mudolo, have disputed the legitimacy of that convention, arguing it violated a standing court injunction and Zambia’s party rules.
Mudolo has publicly rejected participation in gatherings he characterises as unconstitutional, warning that members who attend such events risk forfeiting their party membership. He has maintained that only lawful and properly sanctioned processes should determine the PF’s leadership and presidential candidacy.
The party’s internal strife has taken on a legal dimension, with court injunctions and lawsuits linked to how and when leadership contests can proceed. One such injunction, issued by the Kabwe High Court, has been interpreted by some party operatives as blocking particular meetings until legal disputes are resolved. Mudolo has cited these legal constraints as grounds for his refusal to engage in unsanctioned leadership gatherings.
Observers note that the PF’s internal disputes underscore broader questions about the role of constitutional mechanisms in internal party democracy and candidate selection ahead of Zambia’s elections later this year. The situation has prompted some analysts to describe the party as fragmented, with competing claims to legitimacy and leadership emerging from different quarters.
Supporters of Mudolo argue that his commitment to law and procedure could help restore stability and credibility to a party that has struggled with internal coherence. Provincial structures and grassroots members have publicly expressed backing for his approach, citing a desire for unity and principled leadership within the PF.
However, not all commentators agree with the merits of Mudolo’s strategy or critique of rival factions. Critics within and outside the party have questioned whether his focus on procedural arguments, rather than broad outreach or established grassroots networks, will translate into effective electoral support. Some also argue that prolonged emphasis on legal technicalities risks alienating ordinary members more focused on policy issues and governance concerns ahead of the national polls.
The State House has previously weighed in on Mudolo’s political ambitions, with government communications officials suggesting he needs a deeper familiarity with Zambia’s political and constitutional landscape if he seeks to play a significant role in national governance.
The ruling United Party for National Development (UPND), led by President Hakainde Hichilema, is expected to defend its mandate, while opposition parties including the PF seek to consolidate candidates and platforms capable of mounting a credible challenge.
