President Edgar Lungu has said that the Patriotic Front government should not be held accountable if the constitutional amendment bill is not passed in parliament.
President Lungu said that he has received reports that some opposition Members of Parliament want to shoot down the bill which contains clauses that most Zambians have asked for.
President Lungu said that if the motion is not passed in parliament then Zambians must judge who means well for the country in 2016.
He was speaking upon arrival at Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula International airport in Livingstone on Thursday.
The Head of State said he had done his part as President to cut down on costs by taking non contentious clauses to Parliament for an amendment but he had information currently indicating that some MPs and some leaders of the opposition wanted to kill all the efforts of the Zambian people.
“I am pleading that you (Zambians) to tell your MPs and Ministers to support the constitution amendment bill.
“If they don’t support it, I will keep away from it and I won’t touch it in future. We have wasted too much money on this constitution making process from the day of late President Mwanawasa up to now on allowances for Commissions and so on,” Mr Lungu said.
He said Zambians wanted certain changes to be done in the constitution as they had cried for dual citizenship, 50 + 1 system of electing the President and running mate system of electing the Vice President among others.
“If they don’t support it, I will keep away from it and I won’t touch it in future. We have wasted too much money on this constitution making process from the day of late President Mwanawasa up to now on allowances for Commissions and so on,” Mr Lungu said.
Mr Lungu said some people did not want to listen to the voice of the Zambian people and they want to kill the Bill in Parliament.
“If Parliament fails to amend the constitution next week or in the near future, then I will wash my hands from this process. From time of late Mwanawasa, there was a cry to change the constitution and I thought that half a loaf of bread is better than nothing.
“So I want to wash off my hands and say I will not be responsible if the efforts being made by PF are going to be killed in Parliament and the motion is lost. Zambians should judge for themselves who means well for them,” Mr Lungu said.
He said that the PF government means well for Zambians and is doing everything possible to cut down on the cost of living.
Show leadership or do what the people want: referendum. A leader washing his hands? Wow! Step down then sir.
Will the real Edgar Lungu please stand up. There you have it Zambians. The chap is now showing his true colours.
Edgar is batter advised to seriously start thinking of what people will remember him after next year. He is relatively and has many years ahead of him. Instead of showing leadership he said and I quote “I am washing my hands from the process”. What kind of nonsense is this? Is this what having no vision means? Bwana Edgar man up and face your challenges squarely and not just clenching a fist!
Don’t blame PF, which PF the blue or green? The PF MPs also agreed with us that the process is fraudulent.
Another sign that PF is divided, now Davies Chama has also moved away from Edgar on this one.
Who to blame, Edgar & his friend the slow/sleepy Minister of Justice, I don’t even know his name.
These are just all well known old tricks, preparing the nation to blame someone else for a result you have all along planned for. Easy to work that one out Sir, try again.
@Nostradamus I quote ati “I don’t even know his name.” You have tickled me lm even going to bed! ROFLOL!
What an ***** of a president…. what do you think we pay you for?
My president I will also blame these mps for failure to fill lake Kariba because they hav small bladders. They can’t do anything right
Eh! What a leader Lungu is! Is it not trying to drive a wedge between MP’s and their constituents? Don’t MP’s speak for their constituents? What is Lungu trying to do? His will or the will of the people through their representatives?
smile kuyipa!!!
His end will be miserable.
Proverbs 16:18 (KJV)
“Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall”.
A referendum is what you want. Are you aware that 90% of Zambians cannot even read the document?
The country has no money for a referendum. This is the best approach considering the current economic situation. Washing hands means there is no other option. The opposition members of parliament are just bent on opposing anything that comes from the PF whether good or bad. Now that is showing lack of leadership. ECL has made a very important step which even the international community (donors) have agreed is the best course of action. So I implore you to not be narrow minded in your analysis.
You’re the same people who say Levy was a good President. He was also a lawyer. In 7 years of that rule, did U get a constitution? Did U get a referendum?
To do a referendum, U need a fresh census to establish the number of those entitled to vote, & make sure of that number at least 50% register & actually vote.
How long will that process take, & how much will it cost? Unless it starts after the coming election, we sh’d do now what can be done realistically or else shelve everything for now & just concentrate on campaigns.
Governance always seems easier when commenting from outside. “Kula Umone..!”
Lungu is clearly lying! All those by-elections PF had caused since 2011 were towards today’s situation : so that they had overwhelming majority in Parliament to phase whatever law they wanted. So what is PF going to use its majority in Parliament for if not to pass such useless bills?
Edgar Lungu, you will still be held accountable for violence being agitated by yourself and Inonge Wina on innocent Zambians on CB
This sounds like a father saying to the teacher “i have done my part to pay for his school fees and don’t blame me if he gets bad grades.” In the meantime he knows that mwana uyu ni chikopo
you can wash them hands even now! for all I care.it’s bound to fail because of your inconsistencies towards workmanship.one wonders if u even ingange advisers if u have any before issuing careless statements. what a flop of a leader!yack.
i tend to disagree with the president,if the pf meant well they would have opted for the referedum route which majority of zambians want.pf has money for by elections and no money for constitution.washing your hands from dealing with matters of constitution shows arrogancy and lack of political will on your part.
Who does this stup!d id!ot think he is?
Pontius Pilate?
Just one more of the PF LIES now in the rubbish!
90 days bull.shit party.
LUNGU, YOU AND YOUR PF CLOWNS HAVE FAILED. JUST ADMIT IT AND RESIGN. YOU DON’T HAVE TO WAIT TO BE KICKED OUT!
Ubupuba. All the comments above are rubbish. The government has reasonable excuses for not adopting the constitution through a referendum. It is costly and currently our economy is bleeding. Why not enact it through a cheaper way. Zambians wake up. Please.
Iwe ka chisanga!!!!! How much does it cost to create new unnecessary ministries and to bloat a cabinet? To buy 100 plus pickups for stooge DCs country wide? To charter a private jet to New York and on it 256 cadres on allowances? What do you know about savings, moron??
@ Brian Chisanga
Comment by 1mbecile for 1mbeciles
@Chisanga, have you just waken up or you spend time smoking marijuana?
This is all planed. He knew that the opposition will oppose anything illegal but blame it on them. It is illegal to take people driven draft constitution to parley. PF itself has failed to make submissions. This was all planned so that the old constitution should again be used. These guys do not have a heart for this country. Not at all. Its politics as usual!
Hand washing, fulfillment of no vision?
The opposition parties will de-campaign themselves if they resort to walking out of parliament everytime there is an issue they do not agree with as a party.
They did this during the reign of the MMD.
We Zambians in the diaspora are fed up of this non sense of Dual citizenship being a security issue.
The downfall of UPND will be blocking this piece of legislation.
No wonder you are a donkey in the diaspora. Is it because you detached from the reality on the ground? Do you think everyone is as mean as you are? Some people out there want to be free to come to primary home Zambia and continue making their life out there. How does this make you fed up? Zambians want adoption by Referendum not through parliament! We know what PF can do. So, please, leave the well meaning Zambians decide what is good for them, not donkeys out there!
It is good to hear the president speaking onto this matter breaking his overtly observed silence. It shows that parliamentarians’ manouvres have unsettled him and the eminent failure will be a blow to him. Indeed the die is cast and all eyes are on parliament. We were all aware that the President wanted the blame to be with Parliament and not himself. Unfortunately, he will not run away at this last hour to shoulder the blame. He has caused this failure for not listening to the people after assuring them a new constitution if he won the 2015 elections adopted through a referendum and enacted only by Parliament. He will not run away from being held responsible and accountable for this failure and squarely the blame is on his head, shoulder and hands and above all his administration. So Mr…
This lazy bum’s papers need to be investigated. ..this man can’t be a lawyer!!
For the referendum to go through 50% or more of elegible voters should say yes. Is this attainable in Zambia? In the end we will even the little that Edgar wants to give us. People should stop politicking and get serious.
We will lose even the little Edgar wants to give us.
You must say the little he wants to give you. We are not interested in a little that why we sending him back to Chawama
A President should facilitate citizens “giving” themselves, not see himself as the giver! JC learn to understand simple democracy.
People here are suffocating of teargas and you expect their representatives in parliament to go about their normal business?Come out of hiding in your so called diaspora and come and suffocate with others that’s when you can make informed decisions.DIASPORA DiASPORA.This is no joke be serious.
I agree with you chakolwa, you won’t touch the constitution making process because we are sending you back to chawama. The Post called you Pontius Pilate a few days ago & you have just confirmed it. The indecisive drunk. As. For holding you accountable (sic) for wasting our money by delaying our constitution making process that we will surely do.
Actually not even little is needed but wholesome needed by majority.No pleading whatsoever.
Ati “I will not touch it in future!” Is is for EL to give the Zambians the constitution?LOL Zambia the real Africa.
Edgar to say the least you are showing naivity as a leader and politician. You are distancing yourself from National affairs while you are President. Do you think you are making sense by producing such a statement? You are the top politician distancing himself from politics? I never thought you were capable as president in the first place. Why am I even asking?
Zambians out of confusion trying to align with the ‘POST’ seriously? Seriously day in and out you insult the president. The presidency shall most surely remain with president Lungu due to your duplicity. As non knowledgable as Lungu’s surbodinates are, he is a good man. That resonates with the general populace. Why don’t we want the constitution amended through parliament. Which crazy nation has ever rewritten their whole entire constitution? General Miyanda and president Nawakwi help us please.
Brian – You are very correct. Can you imagine, the president is lamenting the amount of money wasted over this constitution animal — see the comments here: so annoying – complete absence of intellect. Do these useless bloggers want the president to set up another “useless constitution review commission”? That is exactly what all the mafias are ganging up for – more money in their pockets. Guys, Edgar is right – if it does not pass in Parliament this time – please shred it and let’s forget about it.
Oh! So tis issue is still arround …
Expecting anything tangible from Edgar is wishful thinking, the guy is morally bunkrapt ,but a good pretender !
Don’t worry Your Excellency. We do not blame you or the PF for anything — loadshedding, job losses, exchange rate, opposition intimidation, increased crime. You have taught us well — nothing is your fault nor your party’s fault. All the bad happening in Zambia is because of mysterious forces beyond your control. We know that the role of leadership is too simply look lost and hopeless while making excuses. We are fine with that and look forward to voting for you and the PF in in 2016. We are thrilled with the great job you are doing and want to give you a 5-year contract to keep up the great work.
Great sons and daughters of Zambia we have a very big problem to sort out that is Edgar Chagwa kudala lungu.This man does not understand his role as president going by his utterances yesterday in Livingstone.We need to unite one Zambia one nation to remove from state house once and for all.zambia needs a fresh start PF has failed.
Zambians please let’s for once do something for country and not our narrow selfish interests. Chagwa’s approach on the constitution needs to be supported by all well meaning people. REMEMBER you all politically biased people, I have a voters card and I’ll always vote for Zambia even when I’m in the minority!
The simplets is take all bills to referendum and end there. Constitution made! Ayopa chani?
Some fools dont think at all,these are very serious national matters imagine from mwanawasa time till to date the government is wasting money of the same thing?wwhy cant we amend in parlament and close the charpter.the people who are fighting it are benefiting every time sitting and discusing the constitution mean wheal get huge sums of money and so they use oposition laders to influece its mps not to pass it and they no that God willing if hh forms government they eat with him through the same process they are doing today.zambians wake up.the president is very much right and am apealing to all well meaning zambians to support president lungu.one zambia one nation,zambia is ours and it does not belong to any political party.respect the president….
Country men & women the Constitution will remain with us & with our children’s children. Political parties & presidents will come & go. Let us not play around with it by posting nonsense. The Constitution Bill represents a good document that could transform governance of this country. Do you really believe a political party or a mere human being can change this country? How many transitions of govt have we made in past 51 years & what has this brought to us?Don’t be deceived. No one can change this country under the current Constitution which maintains a cycle of different small groups of people benefiting @ the expense of the rest. Why do you think the previous attempts to positively change the constitution failed? We urgently need to change this Constitution & the Constitution Bill is…
PF promised a new consitution within 90 days after being elected into power (2011). This New Constitution was to be adopted through a referendum. Its amazing that we are busy debating this issue four years later on the mode of adopting the New constitution. The Consitution belongs to the entire Zambian citizens and NOT to any political party, therefore let the Zambian people decide on the Consitution making process. Some MPs are sellouts hence can not be trusted. If the majority want a referendum, so be it.
Why are we so worked up about the past yet the future is more important for us. No matter what you do you can’t change the past. You are however in full control of the future. Don’t let the past hold you back from doing the right thing. The refrendum is a red herring. It is a costly & unnecessary exercise those that want to keep power in the hands of a few under the current constitution are using to maintain the status quo. Focus your mind & effort on what we can achieve together as Zambians not a political party or human being. Parliament can enact the Constitution Bill into a valid constitution which will work just fine. God Bless
I am confused how does he wash his hands when he is the president. If he is in total support of the clauses let him come out clearly and tell his MPs to 100 percent support the bill and then try to convince the opposition as well, that’s leadership. How does a president wash his hands of an important programme like constitutional reforms. I hope he was misquoted!!!
You can not take a bill and then you do not contribute yourself…….ECL you must be realistic. What is your party’s position about this bill? It was taken to parliament by your government and therefore your party MUST take the lead to see to it that what you started must come to finality. You are talking too much my President and everyday the negatives are coming out………Dollar, Load shedding and the Urinary system, Prices of commodities going up, Job losses almost everyday as opposed to the 500 000 jobs that you proposed in your plan with Vincent……..Is this good leadership?
My appeal to honorable members from the UPND, you stand a better chance to unseat the current government under the 50+1 clause. Any other method chances are very slim. Please our honorable members lets put partisan issues aside, this is a step in the right direction. The referendum can be held during the general erections next year, please twapapata
Good move Mr President. No one should hold responsible for the irresponsibility exhibited by the opposition MPs. They should be held responsible for opposing just anything the ruling party is putting before them. And ECL should indeed become tougher with all those that belittle him or underrate his intelligence.
Show leadership naimwe ba kateka. That’s not the language of Presido!
Ona guy ayitaya sure avitaya eve yamutaya. Aaaha!!!