{"id":78051,"date":"2025-11-11T23:32:29","date_gmt":"2025-11-11T23:32:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/zambia\/all-news\/makebi-zulus-political-ambition-and-ecl-burial-impasse"},"modified":"2025-11-11T23:34:53","modified_gmt":"2025-11-11T23:34:53","slug":"makebi-zulus-political-ambition-and-ecl-burial-impasse","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/zambia\/all-news\/makebi-zulus-political-ambition-and-ecl-burial-impasse","title":{"rendered":"Makebi Zulu’s Political Ambition and ECL Burial Impasse"},"content":{"rendered":"

Africa-Press – Zambia. <\/strong><\/span>The lingering burial impasse of the late former President Edgar Chagwa Lungu has stirred not only public emotion but also serious political speculation. At the heart of the controversy stands prominent lawyer and politician Makebi Zulu, who has been the spokesperson and legal representative of the Lungu family throughout this sensitive period. But as events unfold, questions are now being asked: was Makebi Zulu truly representing the family\u2019s interests, or was he strategically positioning himself for political gain?<\/p>\n

Insiders and observers alike have begun to question whether Zulu\u2019s deep involvement in the burial negotiations was motivated by loyalty or ambition. Did he, under the guise of being the family\u2019s trusted lawyer, manipulate the situation to advance his presidential aspirations within the Patriotic Front (PF)?<\/p>\n

There are growing sentiments that Zulu may have taken advantage of the grieving widow, former First Lady Esther Lungu, and her children by influencing the pace and tone of discussions around the burial. The argument is that he may have used his influence to create a political narrative that paints him as a defender of the Lungu legacy \u2014 a narrative that conveniently aligns with his current ambitions to lead the PF and potentially contest the 2026 presidential election.<\/p>\n

Now, the bigger question is: can Zambians trust Makebi Zulu with State authority and power? Can a man accused of turning a solemn national issue into a political launchpad be the moral compass of a party once led by the late Edgar Lungu himself?<\/p>\n

Political analysts argue that the late ECL must be \u201cturning in the freezer,\u201d watching those he once trusted turn his legacy into a battleground for personal gain. The PF, once a formidable political force, now appears fractured \u2014 with figures like Given Lubinda, Brian Mundubile, Mutotwe Kafwaya, Willah Mudolo, Emmanuel Mwamba, Grayford Monde, and Chitalu Chilufya all entangled in succession disputes and strategic maneuvering.<\/p>\n

Had these individuals declared their ambitions before ECL\u2019s death, the situation might have been different. The PF could have focused on rebuilding its structures and reconnecting with the grassroots rather than being consumed by internal wrangles and confusion. Instead, Makebi Zulu, leveraging his closeness to the former President, seems to have seen an opportunity \u2014 a political vacuum ripe for exploitation.<\/p>\n

Currently, Zulu is banking on public sympathy surrounding the delayed burial of ECL to gain traction among voters who may not fully grasp the political games at play. However, Zambia\u2019s political landscape has evolved. The era of sympathy votes and emotional slogans is fading fast. Citizens are now more focused on pragmatic leadership \u2014 individuals who can tackle unemployment, economic hardship, corruption, and inequality.<\/p>\n

As 2026 approaches, the stage is set for one of Zambia\u2019s most intriguing elections in recent history. Will Makebi Zulu\u2019s calculated political strategy pay off, or will it backfire as voters see through what some describe as opportunism disguised as loyalty?<\/p>\n

Only time will tell \u2014 but one thing is certain: the late Edgar Lungu\u2019s legacy and burial saga will continue to cast a long shadow over Zambia\u2019s political scene, especially for those who seek to wear his crown.<\/p>\n

By Chitalu Kasonde<\/p>\n

Ilelanga News. November 11, 2025.<\/p>\n

For More News And Analysis About Zambia<\/span> Follow Africa-Press<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Africa-Press – Zambia. The lingering burial impasse of the late former President Edgar Chagwa Lungu has stirred not only public emotion but also serious political speculation. At the heart of the controversy stands prominent lawyer and politician Makebi Zulu, who has been the spokesperson and legal representative of the Lungu family throughout this sensitive period. 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