N/West PF welcomes Speaker’s move on Kambwili
THE PATRIOTIC Front in North Western Province has welcomed the decision by the Speaker of the National Assembly Patrick Matibini to declare the Roan constituency which was held by Chishimba Kambwili vacant.
PF provincial chairperson Jackson Kungo says the decision by the Speaker was long overdue.
Mr Kungo said in an interview that it was the Speaker’s jurisdiction to declare a seat vacant if need arise.
He stated that by accepting the position of consultant and presidential candidate for NDC in 2021, the embattled former Roan parliamentarian had effectively defected from the ruling party to the opposition NDC and the Roan seat had consequently fallen vacant.
"As a party in the province, we have warmly welcomed the decision by the speaker of the National Assembly for declaring vacant the Roan seat because it is long overdue," Mr Kungo said. He said the Constitution outlawed dual membership of political parties for MPs and it was therefore crystal clear that Mr Kambwili could not continue holding on to his seat under the PF while at the same time being a member of the NDC.
Mr Kungo who is also Member of the Central Committee (MCC) said it is time for Mr Kambwili to show his popularity by re-contesting the seat.
He said the ruling party is ready to defeat and retire former Roan Member of Parliament Kambwili in the by-election.
‘’I am praying that he does not chicken out but contest the seat under the NDC ticket where he is the consultant.
"We want to meet him there in Roan where the ground is set and we are fully prepared for him, we want to retire him,’’ he said. On Tuesday, Dr Matibini declared the Roan vacant following a point of order raised by Malambo Member of Parliament Makebi Zulu who wanted to know whether Kambwili is in order to remain in the House as a PF MP when he publicly declared that he is the leader of the opposition NDC.