Tonse a legacy project for ECL – Miles

calls for unity among its membership, advises the leadership to shelf their differences and promote a united opposition which former President Lungu envisaged

By BARNABAS ZULU

MILES Sampa has called for unity among members of the Tonse Alliance, urging leaders within the political formation to put aside their differences and honour the late Edgar Chagwa Lungu by preserving the unity he advocated for.
Mr Sampa, the Leader of Opposition in Parliament and Patriotic Front (PF) Matero Member of Parliament says the Tonse Alliance is a legacy project initiated by former President Lungu to liberate Zambians ahead of the 2026 general elections.
“Tonse Alliance is the vehicle that was created and left by ECL for the liberation of the people of Zambia in 2026,” Mr Sampa stated.
“Whatever we do individually or collectively therefore, we must preserve Tonse jealously and unite ourselves at all times, especially at the helm of the Alliance.”
Mr Sampa revealed that he was among those who had the opportunity to meet with the late President a few months before his passing and shared what he believed was Mr Lungu’s most important message.
“Those of us that had a chance to interact with ECL in person a few months before he died, if there is only one word he kept emphasising, it was ‘unity,’” he said.
“He did not want anyone to be left out or left behind. He told us, ‘Mwikatane bonse bane, and there is and there will be space and a role to play for everyone’.”
Mr Sampa called on all leaders under the Tonse Alliance to put in their best efforts to uphold this vision and avoid disunity that could derail the hopes of Zambians.
“For his love and respect therefore, we all must work hard – or be it make sacrifices – to ensure the Tonse Alliance remains united. Let’s honour ECL by remaining united as we were before he died and now after his demise,” Mr Sampa said.
He said individual ambitions must never overshadow the broader goals of the alliance.
“Our individual aspirations should not at any time supersede those of the collective masses under the umbrella grouping,” he warned. “There is no insurmountable difference – if there is any, real or perceived – that cannot be resolved. ‘United we stand; divided we fall’.”
Mr Sampa, who also serves as Leader of the Opposition in Parliament and sits on the Tonse Alliance Council of Leaders, reminded alliance members of the hope that ordinary Zambians have placed in them.
“We should all play our singular and collective roles to ensure that we don’t let down the majority people of Zambia that have found hope for their lives and a better Zambia in the ECL-pioneered Tonse Alliance,” he said.