Speaker”s support for Sampa causes uproar

A DECISION by the Speaker of National Assembly Nelly Mutti to back expelled Matero Member of Parliament (MP) Miles Sampa for the Pan African Parliament presidency has caused uproar and consternation.

The African Parliamentary African Parliamentarians Network Against Corruption (APNAC) Secretary General Munir Zulu says the support of Mr Sampa was an exercise in futility.

He said it was shocking that Ms Mutti could even go ahead to support Mr Sampa when she was aware that he was not liked by eligible voters.

“Hon Mulenga Kapamba seats in the committee with Sampa but she has categorically said that she cannot vote for him,” Mr Zulu said.

Ms Mutti in an introductory letter said Mr Sampa a member of the Pan African Parliament (PAP) holding the position of Chairperson of the PAP Committee on Audit and Public Accounts, was desirous to stand as a candidate for the vacant position of president of the Pan African Parliament.

She said the National Assembly of Zambia is cognisant of the provisions of Rule 7 Sub-rule 3 of the PAP Rules of Procedure of 2011 which provides for the autonomy of PAP members in making decisions relating to their conduct and affairs and states that members "shall not be bound by instructions or orders from any authority.

She said Mr Sampa, therefore, in line with the rules and regulations of the PAP expressed his intention to vie for the vacant position and had been endorsed by members of the Zambian delegation.

Meanwhile, Mr Munir said even if Speaker Mutti backed Mr Sampa eligible Zambian MPs were against him.

Mr Zulu said no MP believed in Mr Sampa, therefore, he would lose badly.