Parliament acknowledges Chabinga’s Leader of The Opposition appointment
PARLIAMENT has acknowledged the appointment of Mafinga Constituency lawmaker Robert Chabinga as leader of the opposition in Parliament dealing a devastating blow to the Edgar Lungu-led group in the battle for PF.
Last week, Miles scooped the presidency of the former ruling party at a promptly and controversially-convened extraordinary general conference.
Soon after his victory the Matero member of parliament appointed Morgan Ng’ona as Secretary General who in turn appointed Chabinga as leader of the opposition in Parliament to replace the PF’s Mporokoso lawmaker Brian Mundubile.
After his removal, Mundubile wrote to the Clerk of the National Assembly Ray Ngulube over the matter.
In the response also copied to Ng’ona, the Clark ofbthe National Assembly explained that; kindly be advised that we are alive to the provisions of Article 74 (2) of the Constitution of Zambia, Cap.1 of the Laws of Zambia, regarding
the Office of Leader of the Opposition”.
Ngulube told Mundubile it is the political party with the largest number of seats in the National Assembly that elected the Leader of the Oppoition from among the Members of Parliament who are from the Opposition.
“However, the manner in which the election of the Leader of the Opposition is conducted is not of concern to the National Assembly as
it is an internal matter of the political party concerned,” Ngulube explained.
As you are aware, Sir, the precedent has been that the National Assembly is notified by the Secretary-General of the political party, the
name of a person appointed as Leader of the Opposition. In this regard, I wish to inform yoU that the National Assembly is in receipt ofa
letter from Mr Morgan Ng’ona, Secretary-General of the Patriotic Front (PF) Party, informing the institution that Mr Robert M Chabinga, member of parliament for Mafinga Constituency, has been appointed as Leader of the Opposition,” Ngulube added.
Further, Ngulube told Mundubile that in view of Chabinga’s appointment, National Assembly will inform him the next course of action regarding this matter in due course.
Kalemba