HICHILEMA HUMBLED AFTER UNOPPOSED UPND PRESIDENTIAL NOMINATION

Hakainde Hichilema has expressed gratitude after being nominated unopposed for the presidency of the United Party for National Development (UPND).

The President successfully filed his nomination papers at the party’s secretariat in Lusaka, with support from several provinces. Luapula Province formally nominated him, while Lusaka, Copperbelt, Eastern, North-Western and Western provinces backed the endorsement.

Speaking shortly after his nomination papers were authenticated, President Hichilema described the moment as humbling and thanked party members for their continued trust and confidence in his leadership.

“I am so grateful on being nominated unopposed. If there was another way to express my appreciation, I would have done so,” he said.

The Head of State also acknowledged the role of alliance partners and party structures in supporting the nomination process, noting the importance of unity within the party as it prepares for its general assembly.

President Hichilema further reflected on the party’s history, recalling how he was first nominated for the UPND presidency following the death of its founding leader, Anderson Mazoka, in 2006.

“I’m truly humbled for this gesture. It’s not easy to experience what we have experienced today,” he said.

He encouraged both long-standing and new members to view the party as a platform for national development, emphasizing its role in improving the lives of Zambians.

The President also commended the UPND electoral committee for successfully conducting intra-party elections and urged members to remain united ahead of the party’s general assembly later this week.