MMD president Nevers Mumba and his National Restoration Party (NAREP) counterpart Elias Chipimo have backed Government’s road-map to amend non-contentious clauses of the constitution through Parliament.
Dr Mumba said opposition political parties that will oppose amendment of non-contentious clauses through Parliament will have themselves to blame if the country will not have a new constitution before the 2016 tripartite elections.
He said in an interview in Lusaka yesterday that the MMD members of Parliament (MPs) would today support the Constitutional Amendment Bill when it goes through Second Reading in Parliament.
“The MMD operates on principles and we have been consistent on this matter as a party. We feel that Parliament is the appropriate route for the 50 percent plus one vote threshold for a winning presidential candidate and having the Vice-President as the running mate will be included in the constitution,” Dr Mumba said.
He said MMD MPs have his blessings as party president to use Parliament to amend non-contentious clauses of the constitution.
Dr Mumba said opposition political parties will only effectively participate in the 2016 general elections with a new Constitution in place.
And Mr Chipimo said the country is guaranteed to have a new constitution through piecemeal amendments in Parliament.
“It is those resisting piecemeal amendment to the constitution who want to have more power if at all they form Government because they want to rule under the current constitution,” he said.
Mr Chipimo said the road-map embarked on by government is sensible and must be supported.
“Let us proceed with these sensible amendments. Let us proceed with the referendum,” he told journalists in Lusaka yesterday.
No comment on you Dr Mumba.. From preacher to this!!
But who controls the MMD Mps? Is you or Rupiah? As far as I know Rupiah does and discussed this issue with Lungu wks back. What the nonsense are are you talking about ba Pastor?
The pastor is still looking for that elusive job from ECL.
Which MPs do you control pastor Mumba? Only Kunda and Mbulakulima. The rest of the MMD Mps are controlled by HH.
Which Mps ba Pastor? Yours or Rupiah’s MPs
LIES LIES LIES……. MUMBA YOU HAVE NO CONTROL OVER MMD MPs. IT IS RUPIAH .
I have withdrawn my earlier comment against Dr Mumba. I guess he has a right to either support or reject amendments on the constitution.
Good progress ba Pastor. Lets be progressive please. At least few kilometres away is good progress.
Nervous Mumba has no clue. That’s the problem of kubwela mochedwa. There’s no consistency in his stance. MMD in April 2011 refused to include the 50%+1 provision in the Constitution amendment bill then before Parliament. UPND had asked for that provision to be included but MMD refused on the basis that election runoffs were expensive and divisive. As a result, the bill failed and was a major embarrassment for RB’s govt. Now Mumba is supporting the same provision and claims MMD is consistent. HOW?
President Mumba, you are a mature leader, unlike some small god in one tribe party who always criticizing every done by President Edgar Lungu.
This one small god will never make it as President of Zambia. Bravo Never Mumba and MMD.
@Hasting Moonga: Anyone who puts emphasis on tribe is retrogressive and living in the past. Lets move away from these tribal politics and debate/ contribute on real issues. In God’s eyes, we are ALL equal, no tribe is above/ superior to other tribes. Prior to 2011, Dora Siliya and MMD were so sure that it was impossible for Sata (PF) to form Govt. We all know what happened in 2011. Be objective, you do not control the thoughts and feelings of all Zambians, anyone can become President of Zambia regardless of tribe or Political Party.
There’s no consistency in Nervous Mumba’s stance. MMD in April 2011 refused to include the 50%+1 provision in the Constitution amendment bill then before Parliament. UPND had asked for that provision to be included but MMD refused on the basis that election runoffs were expensive and divisive. As a result, the bill failed and was a major embarrassment for RB’s govt. Now Mumba is supporting the same provision and claims MMD is consistent. HOW?
It’s the way to go. Chances very high that this referendum fail to achieve the benchmark due to low voter turn out if it is to be implemented on its own. Who is going to canvas the whole country to campaign for people to vote? Then when vote is no, what happens to the document. We take for recycling to tissue papers. I know some NGOs it’s time to make money and have already submitted proposals for funds. Sorry this time no money. Kkps
kudos to Mr Mumba and Mr Chipimo we need mature politicians like you not the childish tribal economist who criticize everything the government does he thinks he is super intelligent kanshi kutumpa.
Lungu is too afraid of 50% + 1 vote as it will mean him and HH facing up, but he is also afraid of first past the post seeing how close the last elections were. He does not know, it might work the way it did for Levy or fail as it did for RB. Talk about being is a quandary!!
“It is those resisting piecemeal amendment to the constitution who want to have more power if at all they form Government because they want to rule under the current constitution,” he said.
Yes indeed, those who think they have smelled power, wrongly yet again.
Dr Mumba & Mr Chipimo, I’m so proud of you. Thank you for putting Zambia 1st. You are role models in modern Zambian politics. Whatever happens in Parliament today you will always remain my heroes on your principled approach to this most important issue for this young democracy. For Politics to be played fairly the country needs good & progressive rules. The constitution bill represents such rules. Today we will see which politicians including MPs love this country & put interest of the people 1st. Anyone that doesn’t support the constitution bill is in politics for selfish reasons. God Bless Zambia!