Lubinda challenges Hichilema to call referendum on third term debate
FORMER PF boss and ex-Justice minister Given Lubinda has challenged President Hakainde Hichilema to subject the removal of presidential term limits debate to a national referendum instead of leaving it to Parliament.
Lubinda said this following Justice Minister Jack Mwiimbu’s statement that Government will not interfere with petitions seeking removal of term limits
Mwiimbu yesterday said Government had taken note of three petitions submitted by citizens to the National Assembly requesting removal of term limits and that the executive would not interfere as the matter falls within Parliament’s exclusive jurisdiction.
But Lubinda, in a post on his Facebook page said parliamentary numbers should not be equated with the will of the people.
“Parliament is already numerically skewed in favour of the ruling UPND. While parliamentary majorities are a legitimate feature of representative democracy, the numerical strength of one political party should not automatically be equated with the collective will of the Zambian people, particularly on matters involving fundamental constitutional changes,” Lubinda said.
He said Government must walk the talk on listening to the people.
“If government is genuinely committed to allowing citizens to determine the country’s constitutional future, why not consider a public referendum that gives Zambians a direct opportunity to express their views on any proposed changes to presidential term limits?” he said.
“A referendum would provide a more direct avenue for citizens to make their position known, rather than leaving such a consequential national question to be determined primarily through parliamentary arithmetic. The will of the people must be demonstrated, not merely declared.”
Lubinda said President Hichilema, who was re-elected in August 2026 for his second and final term under the current Constitution, has an opportunity to demonstrate leadership by distancing himself from any third-term agenda.
During yesterday’s press briefing, Mwiimbu said President Hichilema had nothing to do with the petitions as they were being pushed by the people and not the Head of State.
But Lubinda cited the rejection of the third-term agenda in 2001 at the end of President Fredrick Chiluba’s tenure which ushered in President Levy Mwanawasa, as proof that presidential power has constitutional boundaries.
“The two-term presidential limit is an important democratic safeguard. It ensures leadership renewal, protects constitutional continuity and reinforces the principle that political authority ultimately belongs to the people,” he said.
“President Hichilema has told his ministers to listen to the people. The nation now expects him to demonstrate that same commitment through his own leadership.”
Kalemba November 14, 2026