By Mubanga Mubanga
Tonse-Woza-Pamodzi Alliance chairman Sakwiba Sikota has wondered how President Hakainde Hichilema knew the four members of parliament (MP) who did not vote for bill 7, when the list had not been published to Zambians.
On Saturday, President Hichilema, while addressing UPND supporters who went to receive him at Solwezi international Airport, said that four UPND MPs namely, Gary Nkombo, Elijah Muchima, Newton Samakai, and Elias Mubanga did not vote for bill 7.
“Some of our MPs voted against Bill 7. Without Bill 7 passing, we would never have had a new constituency here in Solwezi, in Kalumbila, in Mwinilunga, and in Zambezi. This province now has more MPs because UPND members of parliament followed the instruction to vote for Bill 7,” President Hichilema said. “But we have four MPs who refused to vote for Bill 7, and I will name them: Garry Nkombo, Elijah Muchima, Newton Samakai, and Elias Mubanga.”
In an interview with Daily Revelation on Saturday, Sikota asked why it was only President Hichilema who knew who voted for or against bill 7, while the general public did not know.
“So, they need to do the right thing. Basically, they need to do the right thing. If what the President wants is a wrong thing, bill 7, then they should abandon it. That is what is expected of them. That is why the reasonable ones did abandon it. And the other thing to take note of is what the president said. How does he know those who voted against?” Sikota asked. “The general public does not know that information has never been released. Why is it only the President knows about and the rest of the people don’t know? And why is what was reported as being the vote not reflecting what he is now saying? That is a big scandal. There should be a clear clarity given.”
Sikota said the confession by President Hichilema that he used opposition MPs to vote for bill 7 showed that he did not believe in democracy. He added that all the opposition MPs who were used on bill 7 had destroyed their political careers.
“That is not the only time that the President has believed in democracy. It is one of the many signs which are there. If you look at even what he said, that these four ‘did not want to work with me over bill 7, so l used members of the opposition.’ He even said ‘used.’ He did not say l convinced, but l used. Even those members of the opposition should realise they were used.”
Sikota said MPs had a duty to vote based on their conscience and what the people who voted for them to go to parliament wanted.
“The primary responsibility is to the constitution. The second responsibility is to the people who sent them to parliament. Then thirdly, is to their conscience. And the party comes role number four. Citizens’ roles come down at fifth place,” said Sikota. “So, if the constitution is not in line with what the President wants, then they should not go with what the President wants, but the constitution. If their conscience is not in line with what the President wants, they should abandon the President and do what is in their conscience.”
