Lubinda Rejects Seven-year Term Proposal

Patriotic Front acting president Given Lubinda has rejected proposals suggesting that Zambia should shift from a five year presidential mandate to a seven year term. Lubinda said the idea was being advanced through individuals he described as surrogates aligned to President Hakainde Hichilema. He stated that the submission by former vice president Enoch Kavindele to the Constitutional Technical Committee did not reflect independent thinking but was part of a coordinated attempt to test public reaction to the possibility of extending the presidential term limit.

Lubinda said that Zambia’s Constitution had clearly established a five year term for the presidency and that any attempt to alter that arrangement would not be accepted by the public. He argued that Zambians were alert to political strategies aimed at adjusting the constitutional framework in favour of the incumbent. According to him, the recent proposal created concern because it appeared at a time when the country was preparing for the 2026 general elections. He noted that the push for a seven year term risked creating unnecessary tension and suspicion around constitutional intentions.

He said that the country had chosen the five year cycle to promote accountability and regular democratic renewal. He explained that efforts to push the mandate to seven years would undermine the fundamentals of Zambia’s governance structure. Lubinda said the proposal raised questions because it seemed to be circulated by individuals with direct links to the presidency. He added that the public needed clarity on whether the idea was being seriously considered within government.

Lubinda referred to statements made earlier in the week by Kavindele to the Technical Committee, where the former vice president argued for a longer mandate for the presidency. He said that the submission immediately attracted political attention because it coincided with ongoing debates on constitutional reforms. Lubinda argued that even though the submission was formally presented by Kavindele, it resembled a political message coordinated to gauge public acceptance of a leadership extension.

He added that Zambians had consistently shown resistance to proposals perceived to centralise political power. According to him, the public expected any proposed amendments to follow the spirit of the Constitution and remain aligned to democratic expectations. Lubinda said the country did not need suggestions that shifted the political balance in favour of individuals holding public office.

Lubinda further stated that Zambians would not allow any leader to secure a longer term through constitutional manipulation. He said that democratic processes had to be preserved. He added that the country had developed a tradition of respecting its electoral calendar and that any proposal to change it required transparent justification. According to him, the recent submission lacked the context and public support necessary for consideration.

He repeated that the five year term was selected by the people and had served the country effectively. He said that altering that period risked weakening the accountability cycle between citizens and elected leaders. Lubinda maintained that the proposal had already created concern among citizens, who viewed it as an attempt to adjust the democratic structure without adequate consultation.

He noted that several political voices had spoken against the proposal, further indicating that the idea did not reflect the national mood. Lubinda said that citizens expected leaders to strengthen institutions and public service delivery rather than promote discussions centred on increasing political tenure. He added that Zambia’s democracy remained defined by its constitutional safeguards and that citizens were committed to protecting them.

Lubinda concluded that proposals suggesting a seven year presidential mandate would be rejected by Zambians. He said that the matter had already drawn public scrutiny and that any attempt to advance it further would likely face resistance. He called for leadership that respected democratic boundaries and upheld the country’s constitutional principles as written.