No Second Term for Hichilema, Says M’Membe
Socialist Party president Dr Fred M’membe has accused President Hakainde Hichilema of attempting to extend his rule through the controversial Constitution (Amendment) Bill No. 7 of 2025, warning that the move is illegal and opposed by the Zambian people.
Speaking on the Socialist Hour programme on Hot FM, Dr M’membe said the government’s push to revive the bill was designed to secure Hichilema’s second term by altering constitutional provisions that govern next year’s general elections.
“Bill 7 is about the political preservation of Hichilema, securing his second term in a manner that is not highly contested,” he said. “If you look at the changes that are being made, the majority of them are to do with elections.”
The Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops (ZCCB) recently warned government against reintroducing Bill 7 in Parliament, citing a lack of genuine public participation as required by law. The Constitutional Court had earlier declared the bill illegal, ruling that its foundation lacked meaningful stakeholder engagement.
Dr M’membe said the president’s insistence on bringing back the bill showed a disregard for public sentiment and judicial authority. He described the process as dishonest, accusing the administration of denying its intentions only to proceed later.
“They denied it completely. Eventually, they started to do what they had denied they wouldn’t do. That shows you that there was no honesty in their approach to this whole thing,” he said.
M’membe added that the consultations being conducted by the Ministry of Justice were not genuine. He alleged that officials were not engaging in open dialogue but were instead attempting to pressure Zambians to accept predetermined constitutional changes.
“These are not issues coming from the Zambian people. There is no legal framework for discussion. It’s who he wants to meet. He sends his minister of justice on a mission that they claim is a consultation. It’s not a consultation. It’s a propagation,” he said. “They went there to force the Zambian people to accept what they were trying to change. Mr Hichilema is adamant about the 13 changes he wants to make.”
The Socialist Party leader warned that amending the Constitution through what he called an illegal process was a threat to democracy. He cautioned supporters of the bill that they would one day be held accountable for their actions.
“Each one of them has been demolished thoroughly by many people. You don’t need to have legal training to understand or to be critical of what he is trying to do. Basically, it’s about Mr Hichilema; it is conceived by him, it is implemented by him. It’s being imposed on the Zambian people by Mr Hichilema,” he said.
Meanwhile, All People’s Congress president Nason Msoni echoed concerns over the planned constitutional amendments, warning that those involved would face consequences for what he described as criminal acts.
“This Bill 7 is an illegality, and anyone who attempts to reintroduce it in Parliament will be committing a crime against Zambians. They must know that they will soon be made to account for such criminal acts. This is a friendly warning to anyone behind such criminal schemes,” Msoni said.
He emphasised that Zambians had consistently rejected the bill through multiple platforms, including statements by the Church, civil society, opposition parties, the business community, and a court ruling.
“The Church has spoken against it, civil society organisations have, too, political parties have, even the UPND itself is not in support of Bill 7, the business community has expressed concerns, too, the court has ruled against it, making it illegal. So, why is Hichilema forcing it through? Our advice is stop it and stop it now!” he said.
The Catholic bishops reaffirmed their opposition to the bill, stating that its current form fails to uphold participatory democracy, transparency and constitutional integrity. They called for a genuinely inclusive and consultative process that respects all stakeholders’ voices.
The debate over Bill 7 has emerged as one of the most contentious political issues ahead of the 2026 general elections. Its reintroduction is expected to attract intense scrutiny from civil society, the Church, opposition parties and legal bodies.
They say this fellow has a law degree? All of this talk before he even sees the Terms of Reference of the Technical Committee. Is Fred sure that the committee will limit itself to the changes proposed in Bill 7? Where in the announcement does it say or even imply that? Fred and the Catholic Bishops have been caught out. They were crying for nationwide consultation and constitutional process. Now that this seems to have been granted, they want to change the goal posts and find something else to moan about. You would think that if they were genuine, they would prepare their submissions, play their part in ensuring that the constitution we get, whenever the lengthy process is completed, will stand the test of time. Now is the time to articulate all the issues you had with the proposed amendments and propose other necessary amendments – not cheap politics.
What makes him think us the 2.8 million who brought HH in power will not do it again. Whether he likes or not we are again regrouping and recruiting more supporters.
This will be the easiest election for the current GRZ the guy up there knows the truth but he wants to pretend as if he does not know the electoral map. Ba Mmembe you are again defeated for the second time just wait for 2050 may be because 2031 I see a not yet known person winning the UPND presidency same 2041 but 2050 it will be tricky probably that time may be yours.
I can assure you the 2.8 m you menmtioned is no longer there
and there is a chance slim maybe he wont get in
there are discussions i’m sure within Upnd going on
This Tikki guy will be embarrassed and humiliated when HH bounces back.
The opposition is like a whole lot of empty tins tied together and being dragged on a tarred road. PF cadres again showed us who they are and we believe them. Never again.
Zambians’ best bet right now is HH as there is no other worthy opponent. In the meantime, ba yufi, nurture someone who will lead this beautiful country to its full potential.
The metaphor is very apt. Also the vehicle is swerving with the tins as if drunken driver is in charge
The problem with these chaps is that they are just fighting HH and not providing alternatives. Tell us and convince us on why HH should be kicked out of power. Don’t just say that he is going to be a one term president we are tired of hearing that can you sell yourselves to the voters.
We do not have any strong opposition party
Or leader who zambians can vote for.As we
Know New dawn is not perfect but they will
Still win in 2026.
M’Membe, again and again same man same washed up hate. I repeat, M’Membe was born either too early or very late. He had been very illegitimate with his idealogy. I can only wish him well especially if he just go back to the land and assist with food security.
Is this story really worth headline status?
Bwana Fred M’membe lost all credibility.His flirting with PF failures and his loss of Post newspapers tells us all to stay afar of his toxicity.
Thi M’membe character is a fraud ,a pot calling the kettle black. Zambia is better off with Bwana HH whose economic indicators are all looking up and positive.
Last time Zambians unwisely listened to M’membe it all resulted in the PF political and economic corrosion.
Unfortunately Mr M’membe doesn’t know that unlike at The Post where everyone was forced to agree with him, in politics you have to lead people to your thinking.
People who dont depend on loyalty to you for a salary won’t be intimidated into agreeing with the President of a family party.
Who’s Fred Mmembe to tell us how to vote?
You cant run a campaign on removing someone from power but what you offer to resolve the countrie’s challenges enhence improving the citizens livelihood. This chap has never offered any solution to the mant problems Zambia has, and please Socialism is just another “ism” its not a solution to any problem in this world. If the owners like China and Russia ditched this slogan, how can a poor country succeed with it. I want to hear his solution for loadshedding, currency depreciation, low GDP, poverty, Inequality and Diseases.
Ba M’membe, akuloteni! You are past your “sell by date”.