Nkana member of parliament (independent) Binwell Mpundu says the opposition does not have the numbers to block the passage of Constitutional Amendment Bill 7 once it is allowed on the floor of the house.
It is easier to understand the statement of resignation from the Nkana lawmaker once the bill is allowed on the floor of the house, considering how bullish the ruling UPND has been over the manner, including bulldozing it through despite the resounding opposition.
They seem like a party that has done its homework, in terms of canvassing the necessary votes needed to pass whatever they have schemed. Infrastructure minister Charles Milupi recently told us that they had the two thirds majority to pass the contentious constitutional amendments, otherwise they wouldn’t have embarked on the same if they knew they did not have the numbers.
One may therefore, understand the premise upon which Mpundu’s resignation is coming from. As a member of parliament himself, he must have a fair understanding of the inner workings and the maneuvering that has happened, or is happening, to come up with the position he has come up with.
Mpundu reasons that now is the time for Zambians to speak up and prevail upon those in power from going ahead to effect whatever they want to effect.
Of course, there are other opposition members of parliament like Brenda Nyirenda and Miles Sampa for instance, who have expressed optimism against the bill’s passage arguing that the ruling party does not have the numbers it claims to have. That may probably sound more optimistic from the parliamentarians given the overwhelming bullishness from the ruling party. Time will tell.
However, in the event the bill comes before the floor of the house, which seems likely, given how contemptuous the ruling party has treated those opposed to their idea, we wish to appeal to each member of parliament to do a serious introspection with their consciences.
When it comes to posterity, the judgment will not be based on the political party or political alliances, conveniences one was in when deciding on such critical matters. The individuals who pass unjust laws will be remembered as individuals first as opposed to the political parties they represented. Secondly, since political alliances, conveniences do not last forever, individuals remain bound to the laws they pass now, and many will definitely be affected by them in future.
Who would want to live in a country for instance, including among the members of parliament themselves, where democracy is rendered permanently useless on account of the super majority the ruling party is trying to create in the house? Where they can simply change the laws at will to make Hichilema a ‘wamuyaya president’ any time he wishes? Are there no persons, even among those 156 elected members of parliament, including the 8 nominated, with aspirations to lead this country in their own rights one day, that they should disadvantage their prospects now?
What sort of democracy will we be allowing in this country if for instance the ruling party will manage to skewer delimitation towards areas where they have electoral advantages? Those dining with them from areas that will be disadvantaged, but who wish to see democracy flourish, isn’t this the right moment to seriously introspect by doing the right thing for posterity’s sake?
Is amending the constitution really the most pressing issue facing this country right now? Surely, this process can wait to be properly people driven after the 2026 general elections, just as President Hakainde Hichilema promised the people of Zambia.
We are urging the people of Zambia in their various constituencies to begin speaking out now against these amendments, while making it known to their members of parliament that they owe it to them to do the right thing for Zambia, regardless their political party affiliations.
By Daily Revelation Editor
Nkana member of parliament (independent) Binwell Mpundu says the opposition does not have the numbers to block the passage of Constitutional Amendment Bill 7 once it is allowed on the floor of the house.
It is easier to understand the statement of resignation from the Nkana lawmaker once the bill is allowed on the floor of the house, considering how bullish the ruling UPND has been over the manner, including bulldozing it through despite the resounding opposition.
They seem like a party that has done its homework, in terms of canvassing the necessary votes needed to pass whatever they have schemed. Infrastructure minister Charles Milupi recently told us that they had the two thirds majority to pass the contentious constitutional amendments, otherwise they wouldn’t have embarked on the same if they knew they did not have the numbers.
One may therefore, understand the premise upon which Mpundu’s resignation is coming from. As a member of parliament himself, he must have a fair understanding of the inner workings and the maneuvering that has happened, or is happening, to come up with the position he has come up with.
Mpundu reasons that now is the time for Zambians to speak up and prevail upon those in power from going ahead to effect whatever they want to effect.
Of course, there are other opposition members of parliament like Brenda Nyirenda and Miles Sampa for instance, who have expressed optimism against the bill’s passage arguing that the ruling party does not have the numbers it claims to have. That may probably sound more optimistic from the parliamentarians given the overwhelming bullishness from the ruling party. Time will tell.
However, in the event the bill comes before the floor of the house, which seems likely, given how contemptuous the ruling party has treated those opposed to their idea, we wish to appeal to each member of parliament to do a serious introspection with their consciences.
When it comes to posterity, the judgment will not be based on the political party or political alliances, conveniences one was in when deciding on such critical matters. The individuals who pass unjust laws will be remembered as individuals first as opposed to the political parties they represented. Secondly, since political alliances, conveniences do not last forever, individuals remain bound to the laws they pass now, and many will definitely be affected by them in future.
Who would want to live in a country for instance, including among the members of parliament themselves, where democracy is rendered permanently useless on account of the super majority the ruling party is trying to create in the house? Where they can simply change the laws at will to make Hichilema a ‘wamuyaya president’ any time he wishes? Are there no persons, even among those 156 elected members of parliament, including the 8 nominated, with aspirations to lead this country in their own rights one day, that they should disadvantage their prospects now?
What sort of democracy will we be allowing in this country if for instance the ruling party will manage to skewer delimitation towards areas where they have electoral advantages? Those dining with them from areas that will be disadvantaged, but who wish to see democracy flourish, isn’t this the right moment to seriously introspect by doing the right thing for posterity’s sake?
Is amending the constitution really the most pressing issue facing this country right now? Surely, this process can wait to be properly people driven after the 2026 general elections, just as President Hakainde Hichilema promised the people of Zambia.
We are urging the people of Zambia in their various constituencies to begin speaking out now against these amendments, while making it known to their members of parliament that they owe it to them to do the right thing for Zambia, regardless their political party affiliations.
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