UPND bets on dissatisfied PF MPs to SellOut and pass Presidential Impeachment Motion
This impeachment motion filing, clearly indicates that...
THE growing number of publicly dissatisfied Patriotic Front - PF Members of Parliament - MPs and some PF aligned independent members of parliament are the main folder that are suspected to have fuelled the speculation that the impeachment motion filed has some credible backing.
The PF with a clear majority in Parliament would not have needed to pay any attention to this motion but the fact that Zambia’s main opposition UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema, one of Zambia’s richest men also adds the possibility of raising the financial bets, a possibility of vote sell out. The PF new Chief Whip has a hard time both keeping a tab and monitoring the activities of the dissatisfied and less engaged PF members of parliament.
This impeachment motion filing, clearly indicates that the political polarity is still high in Zambia, and goes to undermine the current dialogue process which is fair to say both parties are unwilling to embrace. Some deep seated mistrust which have some ethnic and historical inclinations have been sighted as the root cause.
The rivalry between incumbent President Lungu and Opposition UPND leader Hichilema has been brewing and reached boiling point at one time that led to the opposition leaders motorcade refusing to budge and give way to President Lungu’ s motorcade. The road race during the Western Province Kuomboka ceremony resulted in Hichilema being arrested and detained for over 120 days.
Category of dissatisfied MPs possible targets to fuel impeachment motion
This impeachment motion comes at an interesting time when the ruling PF has some members that are reported to be dissatisfied for many reasons, some of which include not being given ministerial/senior government positions and other of a more personal nature.
This makes this category of MPs possible targets for Zambia’s main opposition political party filed motion done on Thursday, 22 March seeking the impeachment current President Edgar Lungu, accusing him of constitutional breaches.
A signed impeachment motion emailed to the Zambian Business Times - ZBT by the UPND media team stated that the impeachment proceeding was based on President Edgar Lungu violations of the constitutions and other Laws of Zambia and for gross misconduct.
Basis of petition explained
The petition proposed that a tribunal be established to investigate the allegations levelled. The key allegation is that President Lungu, during the period August 19 and September 5 2016 refused or failed to or neglected to hand over executive powers to the speaker of the national assembly during the presidential election petition period.
Mazabuka Member of Parliament for UPND Garry Nkhombo, National Democratic Congress defacto leader and PF Member of Parliament for Copperbelt’s Roan Constituency Chishimba Kambwili signed the petition – a combination that expected to work at splitting the loyalty of the PF MPs.
However, presidential spokesperson, Amos Chanda on Friday 22 march referred to this action as just a continuation of the UPND’s failed court challenge of President Edgar Lungu’ s election victory and that it would go nowhere.
It is however the political machinations, deft planning and power of money being fully leveraged that would see this motion see the light of day. Some experienced and veteran political hands have however told ZBT that deep seated ethnic loyalties are what makes this motion unlikely to be passed even with the well know npower of money being put to its full play.