Harry Kalaba’s Running Mate Backs Tonse-Pamodzi Alliance

Harry Kalaba Says Running Mate to Support Mundubile

Citizens First president and Orange Alliance leader Harry Kalaba has announced that his vice-presidential running mate, Moses Mawere, is expected to support the presidential candidature of Tonse-Pamodzi Alliance leader Brian Mundubile.

In a statement issued on Friday, Kalaba said he had learned that Mawere, who is president of the Exodus Party for Peace and Prosperity (EPPP) and successfully filed presidential nominations alongside him, had decided to back Mundubile’s presidential bid. Kalaba said that while Citizens First would have preferred to continue the campaign journey with Mawere, the party respects his decision and wishes him well in his future political endeavors.

The development adds to a series of recent political shifts involving Kalaba’s camp. According to the Citizens First leader, Roan parliamentary aspirant Chishimba Kambwili and Kafue West parliamentary aspirant and national youth leader Max Chongu have also moved to the Tonse-Pamodzi Alliance.

Despite the changes, Kalaba reaffirmed that Citizens First remains committed to offering what he described as principled leadership and practical solutions to Zambia’s challenges. He said the party’s vision of building a united, prosperous, corruption-free nation founded on integrity, accountability, transparency, non-violence, and servant leadership remains unchanged.

The announcement also raises constitutional questions regarding presidential running mates. A similar situation recently occurred when Andyford Banda withdrew as the running mate for Organized People’s Party (OPP) presidential candidate Dr. Brian Mushimba. Since a presidential candidate and running mate are nominated as a joint ticket under Zambia’s electoral system, legal experts note that the constitutional implications of a running mate withdrawing or endorsing another presidential candidate have not yet been determined by the courts.