Campaign Steady, Not Slowed

OPP maintains election confidence as Mushimba returns from London honour and steps up nationwide mobilisation

By Francis Maingaila ♥️ 

Choongwe. Zambia24 --- (5-7-2026) -- The Organised People's Party (OPP) says it remains confident, organised, and ready to compete in the upcoming general election despite uncertainty surrounding its running mate, while presenting its presidential candidate, Dr. Brian Mushimba, as a technically competent leader capable of driving Zambia's development.

Dr. Mushimba, who confirmed the development on arrival at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport in Lusaka after returning from London, where he had travelled to receive an award at the House of Lords, said the honour recognised his contribution to engineering, education and national development.

He was among 11 individuals from across Africa recognised at the ceremony, which was hosted by Baroness Sandy Verma and attended by former Tanzanian President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete.

Dr. Mushimba said the recognition centred on his career in engineering and his advocacy for technical education in Zambia, adding that he had previously campaigned on expanding STEM skills and raising engineering standards in public projects.

"It is recognition not of one man, but of the skills and standards we have as a nation," he said.

He said the award highlighted Zambia's capacity on the international stage and came weeks ahead of the country's 13 August general elections, where he, alias Mr. 4 million jobs, is contesting the presidency under the OPP banner.

Mushimba said the Electoral Commission of Zambia's recent pronouncement had cleared the way for the party to continue campaigning without disruption.

"We expected that this election should not be interrupted, especially because even ballot papers have already been printed. The remaining issues are administrative within the party regarding the withdrawal of the running mate. We are happy with the Electoral Commission's pronouncement that our ticket has not been interrupted and that we can continue campaigning," he said.

He announced that the OPP campaign would immediately resume, with the party heading to the Copperbelt Province before proceeding to the North-Western Province as part of its nationwide campaign programme.

Mushimba said the party's campaign was gathering momentum and that Zambians were responding positively to its message and policy agenda.

"We are looking forward to selling our ideas, our agenda and our vision to the people, and the people are responding very well to our message," he said.

With fewer than 40 days remaining before the August 13 general election, Mushimba described the campaign as "a marathon, not a sprint," saying political success depended on building support steadily and ensuring the right message reached voters at the right time.

He acknowledged that some people believed the OPP had started its campaign slowly but said the party had focused on strengthening grassroots structures across the country.

"We had people on the ground creating our grassroots mobilisation, and they have been doing amazing work. Wherever we go, people are there. Even yesterday I received a message from Kalulushi saying our campaign teams were on the ground canvassing for votes. That work is happening across the country," he said.

Mushimba said his trip to London had briefly interrupted the party's public rallies but stressed that the campaign would now intensify as the election drew closer.

"We believe that by August 13 we will have built the critical mass of votes needed to put us in a strong position when votes begin to be counted," he said.

Turning to his professional background, Mushimba urged engineers and other technical professionals to support his presidential bid, saying Zambia's development challenges required leaders with technical expertise.

He said Zambia's economy, which is anchored on mining, together with the country's infrastructure needs in housing, roads, water supply, sanitation, airports, schools and hospitals, demanded practical and technically informed leadership.

"Mining is a technical industry. Our infrastructure deficit requires engineers, surveyors, quantity surveyors and many other professionals. For engineers to step forward and seek national leadership sends a strong message that Zambia is ready to place technical competence at the centre of national development," he said.

Mushimba said he had received messages of encouragement from fellow members of the Engineering Institution of Zambia, whom he described as proud of his candidature.

He called on engineers and other professionals to publicly support the OPP, saying the party represented an opportunity to place technical knowledge and practical solutions at the forefront of Zambia's development agenda.

"We need engineers and other professionals to step forward and help lead this country. Together, we can undertake the heavy lifting needed to comprehensively develop Zambia within our lifetime," Mushimba said.