IN UPND, SOME SINS ARE BIGGER THAN OTHERS SAYS GARY NKOMBO.
Mazabuka Central Independent parliamentary candidate Gary Chilala Nkombo has claimed that some members of the United Party for National Development (UPND) are treated differently when it comes to disciplinary matters, saying “other sins are bigger than others” within the ruling party.
Speaking during a live broadcast on his official Facebook page on Monday evening, Mr. Nkombo said his support for Bill No. 7 could not have been the reason for his fallout with the party because he voted in line with the UPND’s official position.
He explained that before the vote, he and other party members raised concerns over provisions in the Bill, particularly the possibility that a political party with a two-thirds majority in Parliament could amend the Constitution without support from opposition or independent lawmakers.
Mr. Nkombo said the party leadership assured them there was no intention of using parliamentary numbers to alter the Constitution for political gain.
“One of the issues we discussed was the danger of one political party obtaining a two-thirds majority and using it to change the law at will. We wanted democracy to be fully protected in Zambia. Imagine a government extending the presidency simply because it has the numbers in Parliament, that would defeat the purpose of democracy,” he said.
He added that following those assurances, he voted in favour of Bill No. 7, insisting parliamentary records would confirm his position.
“It is not true that I did not vote for Bill 7. I voted for it, and the records are there. So Bill 7 cannot be the reason UPND decided to dump me. But even if they mistakenly believed I had voted against it, why have others been forgiven while four of us have not? It appears some sins are bigger than others,” Mr. Nkombo said.
The former UPND National Elections Chairperson further alleged that after being removed from his party position, he was instructed by the party secretariat not to seek adoption as the UPND candidate for Mazabuka Central, although no reasons were given.
According to Mr. Nkombo, it was the people of Mazabuka who encouraged him to stand as an independent candidate and even paid his nomination fees.
He also alleged that individuals linked to State House later came to Mazabuka to beat him, claiming videos of the incidents were available.
The UPND has not publicly responded to Mr. Nkombo’s latest remarks.
If he is a true UPND, he would have humbly submitted to discipline and come November, he would have been named ambassador to the USA. Now, he looks like becoming an opposition independent MP.