FDD President.
Opposition Forum for Democracy and Development FDD President Edith Nawakwi and fellow Opposition Leader National Restoration Party NAREP President have become the latest to append their signatures on the social contract promising to enact the new constitution once elected into office.
Speaking after signing the social contract the FDD leader said everything starts and ends with a good constitution something she noted has not been prioritized as an election issue in previous elections.
She said the importance of a good constitution can not be over emphasized hence the need to hold all those aspiring for plot 1 accountable and ensure that whoever gets to office after 20th January 1015 delivers a new constitution before the 2016 elections.
The opposition leader observed that people have been put in office based on slogans instead of what they offer with regards to the developmental agenda of the nation.
“If you recall in 1964 the only basis for electing our founding fathers into office was the question as to who would move this country from Her Majesty government to the people of Zambia, in 1990 was how can we evict the one party state under UNIP and the people of Zambia went on search on who was best suited galvanize the country and evict the one party state of UNIP,
The question of development” continued Ms. Nawakwi, the question of social justice, the question of equity has never up to this moment been an issue for debate when candidates are being put forward,” she noted.
And Ms. Nawakwi has observed that the concept of decentralization can only work if a new constitution enacted as the current one gives a lot of powers to individuals in government.
She said her party’s manifesto is based on decentralization and that an effective decentralized system is only possible with a new constitution.
“We as FDD believe that to be able to effect decentralization as a political party we need a new constitution that can embrace that concept.
“The current constitution does not allow the Minister of Finance to depart from allocating resources other than the over centralized governance system that is why Lusaka is Zambia and Zambia is Lusaka.
“We believe that devolution of power in the new constitution is provided for and that the question of the new constitution should be item number one for anyone of us privileged to be given the responsibility to assist the country to move forward,” Ms. Nawakwi said.
Ms. Nawakwi also noted that people should not put their faith individuals to deliver the constitution saying “there is no good person among us” hence the need to have a constitution that reduces excessive powers vested in individuals which in turn corrupts them once they are elected.
And speaking at the same event NAREP President Elias Chipimo said there is need for everyone in the country to strive for a better Zambia.
He said individuals should strive to leave the country better than they found it for their children.
He explained that his commitment to the social contract does not end at only fulfilling it when elected as President but that it goes beyond being elected to plot one saying whether I’m elected or not my commitment should be to ensure that Zambia is a better country when I leave.
Meanwhile Grand Coalition on a People Driven Constitution Chairperson said the social contract being signed by aspiring candidates accords the public to hold their elected leaders accountable in an event that they failed to deliver on the constitution as promised in the signed pledge.
He said the coalition foresees all presidential candidates prioritizing the constitution reform process in their campaigns.
He said the Grand Coalition will popularize the social contracts among Zambians across the country so as to ensure that people know what their candidates have pledged and make them deliver on their promises.
The 2 Presidents have since pledged to deliver a people driven constitution before the 2016 elections if elected into office.
I think Nawikwi and Chipimo are far more realistic in their politics than one HH.God help us,the promises this dude is going round making are extremely scary.
HH was the first to sign the social contract to deliver the constitution and this article should have ready like ” Nawakwi and Chipimo also sign social contract” LT why are not mentioning it in your article that HH has also signed it?
I am amazed, so NDOBO was right that there is social intimacy between Nawakwi & Chipimo. Congratulations Elias mwaiche, Nawakwi is soft boded and hard hearten!!
You are welcome to vote for them. Let’s see how far you go. There us no law against stupidity. At least you won’t vote for PF which is a good thing
Icilema is very desperate.
Chitutuma, aletutuma. Tekanya blulu. Nitumapolitikisi tyala utu.
Chipimo hasn’t been seen or heard since Sata died a month ago. At this rate it will take him decades, may be forever to realize his presidential dreams. Sometimes I wonder why some people set up a political party without the ambition to be president.
you are right,it makes one wonder what his marketing plan is,i hope he is not expecting people to go crawling for him to be their president.
He is launching his campaign today, Friday. They have been working on branding the party for the campaigns. Being a staunch follower (though I had doubts like u guys), I have checked samples of his campaign ads on his facebook page and he is going to have videos explaining his vision for every economic sector (the “how” is something I am yet to hear from the other camps). Let’s see how he rolls out from today
In One Zambia One Nation,there is no Bemba,Chewa,Tumbuka Lamba ot Tonga etc.
If the candidate is mature and is supported by a party that promises to bring social change to the country then he deserves our support.
Recently was shocked when one of my close bemba friend blatantly told me that he can never support.Reason !Because he is a Tonga!
fellow citizens why should we be divided on tribal lines?
In the 1996 elections,Chiluba got 98% in Southern Province!So why are the Tongas labelled tribalists?How many Northerners are in the cabinet and the diplomatic missions as compared to other tribes?
Zambians it’s high time we rose above tribal politics and voted for the new generation of leaders in the name of HH.
Nawakwi needs to shut up. She was touring with sata and has ruined FDD. She is such a west of space.
Has she got even an MP left?
Yes she has one MP in the name of Chifumu Banda. NAREP though have no MP or even counsellor. But you are right FDD and NAREP on their own cannot win the presidency. Its either they join Edgar Lungu, HH or RB to make sense.
She only went on 1 trip to Brasil with Sata and several other people who where not even government officials. Truth please truth!
Late arrivals FDD and NAREP appear to be waiting for their moment.
In the meantime HH is off to a flying start while General M is courting the Lozis.
MMD displaying signs of unfinished tug of war with two campaigns promised. Which one will take centre stage?
Ruling party with its multiple panga foot soldiers seem ready for a hack fest (democratic conference) come Saturday.
A week in politics is indeed a long time..:
Are these two even relevant? We don’t want people who take politics as a hobby. You two should run along and go on a picnic. Stay out of Vabakulu.
Sorry folks, I may have missed the point! Are they getting married?
Woow! Talking of January 1015 – are we going backwards bane? This ka ma woman needs a hard one! She still seems to have energy and jumpy for quickies!!
She looks good. That’s how I imagine the female president will look (don’t get excited Christine, not you and not next year)
Bad bed fellows