"Don't Involve Me in Your Battle With Brian Mundubile" – Gary Nkombo

MAZABUKA – Independent Mazabuka Central parliamentary candidate Gary Nkombo has urged President Hakainde Hichilema not to draw him into the contest between the ruling United Party for National Development (UPND) and the Tonse Alliance, saying his campaign is focused solely on representing the people of Mazabuka.

In a video circulating on social media, Mr. Nkombo is seen addressing supporters, where he responds to recent remarks made by President Hichilema during a campaign rally in Mazabuka.

The President had questioned Mr. Nkombo's loyalty and accused him of previously associating with individuals who, according to him, sought to persecute him while he was in the opposition.

Responding to those remarks, Mr. Nkombo said he should not be dragged into what he described as a contest between presidential candidates.

"Don't involve me in your battle with Brian Mundubile. You are standing against him, not me," Mr. Nkombo told supporters.

He stressed that he is contesting the Mazabuka Central parliamentary seat, not the presidency.

"You won't see any pictures of Brian Mundubile on my campaign regalia. The battle between presidential candidates has nothing to do with me. I am focused on working for the people of Mazabuka as Member of Parliament," he said.

Mr. Nkombo said his priority remains addressing the needs of the people of Mazabuka Central rather than engaging in exchanges over the presidential race.

The remarks come amid an increasingly public fallout between President Hichilema and Mr. Nkombo, who was until recently one of the UPND's senior members and served as Minister of Local Government and Rural Development before leaving the ruling party to contest the seat as an independent candidate.

The exchange has become one of the defining political contests in Mazabuka ahead of the 13 August General Election, with both sides intensifying their campaigns in the constituency.