Tonse not falling apart – Pule

By NATION REPORTER

THE Tonse Alliance will not fall apart and the vision of late former President Edgar Lungu shall be fulfilled despite some members being in the pocket of the governing UPND to attempt to cause confusion in the opposition, Dan Pule has said.
Dr Pule, the Tonse Alliance deputy chairperson says while he is aware of different opinions in the alliance following the death of Mr Lungu, who was the chairperson of the opposition political party grouping, that such opinions shall not make the alliance collapse.
Dr Pule, who is also leader of the Christian Democratic Party (CDP) said the alliance was equally aware that some of its members and leaders may have been sponsored by its rivals to bring instability in the alliance but stated that the vision of former President Lungu with his Plan B shall live on.
“Although we may have different opinions, we remain united and ready to carry on the vision of late former President Edgar Lungu who was our chairman.
As a family, we may have different thinking but we remain a family as Tonse. Ifimuti ifipalamene tafilube kukwesana,” Dr Pule said.
He said the conviction of most of the Tonse Alliance members was to forge on and that after the burial of Mr Lungu, all the differences will be resolved and the alliance will move on as a strong political movement that will sponsor a single candidate to challenge President Hichilema.
Dr Pule said the Tonse Alliance shall not disintegrate and would certainly field a solid candidate in the 2026 general election.
“Tonse Alliance is united and we will forge ahead with Edgar Lungu’s vision. Some of the people might be sponsored here and there but we will succeed,” said Dr Pule.
Dr. Pule said that while there have been a few divergent opinions, the Tonse Alliance had remained united and committed to fulfilling the vision of the late President Lungu. “We are very much united to carry on the vision of our late chairman, President Edgar Lungu. “Yes, I have seen the statements, and while there may be issues that need to be ironed out, we are a family,” he said. “Even families can have disagreements, but the key thing is to remain united,” he said.
He noted recent public statements made by alliance members Ephraim Shakafuswa, Peter Chanda and Kelvin Bwalya Fube (KBF), some of whom argued that the Patriotic Front (PF) should lead the alliance going forward, in line with the original Tonse Alliance constitution.
Dr. Pule confirmed that a formal meeting of the alliance will be held after the burial of former President Lungu, where any internal concerns would be addressed.
“There will come a time when we are going to sit together and sort things out. These issues are not insurmountable, and they should not give the impression to our opponents that we are falling apart,” he said.
Responding to suggestions that some dissenting voices within the alliance may be influenced by outside political forces, Dr. Pule cautioned against celebrating division.
“Of course, we do have people who might want to celebrate differences, but I can tell you that as an alliance, we are still united and we shall remain united,” he stated.
Dr. Pule assured the nation that the Tonse Alliance shall field a strong and united presidential candidate for the 2026 general elections, firmly reiterating that the alliance is not crumbling.
“We are not falling apart. As Tonse Alliance, we are very united, and we are moving forward with the original vision of our chairman that we have demonstrated this far,” he said.
He also made a heartfelt appeal to alliance members and supporters across the country.
“Let’s remain united. Let’s remain focused as we continue to mourn our beloved president, Edgar Lungu.”
Dr. Pule, who has been on medical rest, revealed he is recovering well and intends to return to active public and political engagement soon.