"We Were Told Not to Stand" – Gary Nkombo Explains Fallout With UPND

MAZABUKA – Independent parliamentary candidate Gary Nkombo has given his most detailed account yet of the events that led to his departure from the ruling United Party for National Development (UPND), claiming that he and several other Members of Parliament were instructed not to seek adoption on the party's ticket following the controversy surrounding Constitution Amendment Bill No. 7.

Speaking during his campaign, the former Local Government and Rural Development Minister said he did not voluntarily abandon the UPND but chose to contest as an independent after being told not to apply for adoption.

"Four of us were told not to stand, not even to bother to stand. Most of us obliged," Nkombo said.

He said his decision not to apply for adoption should not be interpreted as a lack of commitment to public service.

"I didn't apply, which means I excluded myself from the race under the party UPND to which I belonged. But that exclusion did not stop me from existing or from answering what I believe is my calling to serve the people," he said.

Bill 7 Controversy

Nkombo linked the fallout to allegations that he was among Members of Parliament who failed to support Constitution Amendment Bill No. 7.

He rejected those claims, insisting he voted in favour of the Bill in accordance with the UPND parliamentary caucus position.

"I voted for Bill 7, and I'll say it again—I voted for Bill 7," he said.

According to Nkombo, the Speaker of the National Assembly announced at the conclusion of the vote that more than 130 Members of Parliament had supported the Bill.

He questioned why he was later listed among nine MPs allegedly accused of not voting, arguing that the situation became even more confusing when only four of those named ultimately lost the opportunity to contest on the UPND ticket.

"Four became enemies, five remained friends. Same accusation," he said.

Rejects Presidential Ambition Claims

The former minister also dismissed allegations that he wanted to become President, saying the claims had been used to justify his removal from Cabinet.

Nkombo said he has never publicly declared presidential ambitions and noted that if that had truly been his objective, he would have contested the presidency after leaving government.

"There has never been a day when I have stood on a podium and said I want to be President," he said.

He added that his name appears only on the ballot for the Mazabuka parliamentary seat and that his focus remains on representing the constituency.

Campaign Focus

Despite his departure from the ruling party, Nkombo said he remains committed to serving the people of Mazabuka and appealed to voters to judge him based on his record rather than political affiliation.

"I've always meant well for this constituency, and I still mean well for this constituency. If the people give me the opportunity to represent them, I shall listen to them, speak for them and stand for them," he said.

The UPND has not publicly responded to Nkombo's latest claims. His remarks were made during a campaign address ahead of the forthcoming parliamentary election in Mazabuka.