Netizens grill young MP for wanting presidential term limits removed

Netizens grill young MP for wanting presidential term limits removed

NETIZENS have roasted former UNZASU president and now Member of Parliament Mwanto Kabaso for suggesting that there is need for the National Assembly to start discussing the removal of presidential term limits.

Kabaso made the suggestion in his maiden speech in the House yesterday.

Instead of receiving applause like most of his fellow young MPs, Kabaso found himself on a social media brazier which had him roasted.

In his speech, Kabaso questioned whether Zambia needed elections to maintain its democratic status or to bring development to ordinary citizens.

“For a second, as a House, we should pause and ask ourselves. Do we need elections for the sake of being called a democratic nation or do we need elections for the sake of bringing development to the homes of poor Zambians?” he asked.

He argued that Zambia spent huge sums of money on elections and called on the house to begin discussing the length of a president’s stay in office.

“It is high time, as a House, we begin to have honest and constructive conversations over presidential term limits. It is high time we begin to discuss the length of the president in office,” Kabaso said.

He further suggested that the mandate to decide when a president should leave office should be given back to the people.

However, his remarks did not sit well with many social media users, who questioned why a newly elected young MP was already calling for a debate on removing presidential term limits.

One user, Elizabeth Mwelwa, reminded the lawmaker that the Constitution provides for a maximum of two presidential terms.

“The maximum term for the President is 10 years. Just find other developmental issues to discuss in Parliament,” she said.

Another user, Newman Dokowe, described Kabaso as an excited young man who did not fully understand the issue.

“He should have left that part in his maiden speech. It’s too early for him to show such character,” Dokowe commented.

He added that having a parliamentary majority should not make leaders think they could do whatever they wanted, saying voters would ultimately have a say.

Chansa also weighed in, writing: “In case you are watching him for the first time, taba normal.

Another user, Banda, mocked the young MP by referring to his previous student leadership days, saying: “From making budget of soya chunks and tray of eggs to Parliament, very luck.”

“Ehhhh aba nabo imwe,” another commented.

Kalemba, November 4, 2026