National Restoration Party (NAREP) President Elias Chipimo Junior says he will not give up on his idea for a neutral government to run the country for the limited period of nine months to oversee the enactment of the new constitution.
Mr. Chipimo says despite the idea being rejected by a number of stakeholders, it is for the benefit of the majority Zambians.
He states that Zambians have been demanding for a new constitution for many years and nothing has worked in their favor.
Mr. Chipimo says in as much he agrees with UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema that the priority for the Zambian people is to have a people driven constitution, his idea can work in tandem with what the people of Zambia want most.
He adds that he is ready to dialogue with other opposition leaders who are not for the idea of a neutral government so that he can learn from them.
Mr. Chipimo is hopeful that once people have digested the idea they may change their minds and come to appreciate it.
Meanwhile, The National Restoration Party (NAREP) is set for national convention next year.
NAREP Information and Publicity Secretary, Wallace Kakoma, revealed the development to Zambia News and Information Services (ZANIS) in a telephone interview yesterday.
Mr Kakoma said preparations for the same event have since reached an advanced stage.
He stated that according to NAREP constitution, a national convention should be held after every five years to usher in new leaders who are able to take the party forward.
Mr Kakoma said at the moment, the party is on the ground to sensitise its members at the grassroots level, adding that all the positions in the party will be contested including that of President.
“All the positions in the party will be contested, including that of the President. And anyone wishing to vie for any position in the party will be given a chance to participate,” Mr Kakoma said.
He lamented that the party is also mobilizing resources for the national convention which he said will be the most successful national convention conducted ever.
Mr Kakoma hinted that his party will no doubt win the 2016 general elections without difficulties.
NAREP is really a party of principles. Say it, stick to it, way to go. Relentlessly leading by example. The wisdom of high quality leadership team willing and ready to present themselves for re-election at a convention. Bring on the convention, I want to stand for election in NAREP
But I think Sata is a good man. If it was KK or Mwanawasa, this NAREP would have been smashed into tatters by Friday, and ka Chipimo would have been facing treason.
ba narep ati come 2016 we are winning the elections, yet you have failed to wrestle a single ward election let alone parliamentary. how do you hope to win a year from now if you come last in these bye elections? chipimo’s has ideas but immature ones which, if put under refinery can be perfected, so join those that are mature and contribute. you are just an overzealous youth chairman
I dont know if its my cadre mentality, but the political scene in Zambia makes Chipimo look like a sissy. I hope NAREP stays the way it is even after being bombarded with feaces and all sorts.
Im-puti isula taibula ku bwekeshapo.
Lol I remember KK using this insult!
Sata and PF would have to agree to this – how does jr expect that to happen? Idea not baked properly – tabupyile ubwali.
……Elias and group: theoretically the idea is good but the question is: how do u practically implement that…??
It would have been easier and cheaper to amend dodgy clauses in the current constitution than redrafting the whole flipping thing. It is difficult to reach a compromise on the constitution because we all have different agendas. It is easier to deal with one thing at a time.
Let all these rabble-rousers talking about the constitution rethink their strategies and stop inciting the public.
CONSTITUTIONALISM bakaamba ba Chipimo. You start from what you have then move to what you want. What you have now (The current Constitution) does not mention an INTERIM government as a means of coming up with a new Constitution.
Can any of the supporters quote the article. Otherwise this proposal is tantamount to arbitrarily doing away with the constitution which is in force now.
Let us hear from you proponents how you are going to come up with the legal framework. Which law in Zambia….
NAREP `s Idea is good. An Interim Govt devoid of power ambitions will be the best to supervise the making of a people driven Constitution. Seen in the light of the Zambian Constitutional making processes since 1964, one would easily conclude that a people driven constitution will remain a dream never to be realised. successive governments have each peddled their selfish ambitions meant to maintain their grip on power.
I see the Zambian Constitution making process as a dangerous power game. Indeed ,it will take an Angel in the form of a sitting President to formulate a constitution which takes away and balances State power to other organs of Government.
I have held my learned colleague Elias in high esteem until now when he has started proposing lawlessness. Under which constitution is an interim Government to enact a constitution provided for? I shudder to think what kind of President he will make, if laws will have to be shelved just to satisfy one’s whims.
My advice to Chipimo is that he should drop this idea because it is working against him politically.
This Chipimo scum knows that he is far from ever being at state house. There is no provision in the current and new constitution that allows for a neutral president. You are now getting under my skin with your non-starter. Give me a break for fcuksakes!