ANTONIO MWANZA MWANZA WRITES
PRESIDENT OF ZAMBIA IS NOT AN MP, MAYOR OR COUNCILLOR: UNDERSTAND THE ENORMOUS POWERS CONCENTRATED IN STATE HOUSE BEFORE YOU ARGUE AGAINST PRESIDENTIAL TERM LIMITS!
The President of the Republic of Zambia cannot be compared to an MP, Mayor or Councillor. The constitutional powers, influence, authority and resources concentrated in the Office of the President are fundamentally different.
This is not about whether a particular President is good or bad. It is about protecting the Republic against the possibility of abuse of power, authoritarianism and dictatorship.
A President is not simply another elected politicians; he is the Head of State, Head of Government and Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Force. Article 91(2) vests the executive authority of the State in the President.
Look at the powers concentrated in the President:
The President wields enormous appointment powers across virtually every critical institution of the State: the Judiciary, the Army, ZAF, ZNS, Police, Correctional Service, Intelligence Services, Electoral Commission, prosecutorial authorities, Public Service, constitutional commissions, financial regulatory bodies including, Auditor General’s Office, ACC, DEC, FIC, etc.
The has a hand in shaping the leadership of every government institution responsible for national security, law enforcement, justice, elections, public administration and accountability.
Now ask yourself: can an MP, Mayor or Councillor exercise this range of national executive authority? Of course not!
So why should the Presidency be treated as though it carries the same powers and risks as those offices?
TERM LIMITS ARE A DEMOCRATIC SAFEGUARD, NOT AN INSULT TO A PRESIDENT.
When so much national power is concentrated in one office, allowing one individual to occupy that office indefinitely creates a serious risk of excessive power, weakened institutions and unfair political competition.
We must not wait for dictatorship to emerge before recognising the importance of constitutional safeguards.
This debate must never be reduced to whether we like the current President or want another person to remain in power. Constitutions must protect the country even when the person in State House changes.
Antonio Mourinho Mwanza
DPP President
Friday, 6 November, 2026