TONSE ALLIANCE CONSIDERS LEGAL ACTION OVER RECOGNITION OF EZRA TEMBO AS LEADER OF OPPOSITION IN PARLIAMENT
By Elesani Phiri And Nelson Zulu
The opposition Tonse Alliance says it is considering legal action to challenge the Speaker of the National Assembly’s decision to recognize Ezra Tembo as leader of the opposition, accusing her of disregarding the constitution and parliamentary standing orders.
Alliance Acting Secretary General Muhabi Lungu says members of parliament from the National Reconciliation Party for Unity and Prosperity -NRPUP- had earlier selected Shiwan’gandu Member of Parliament Stephen Kampyongo as their preferred leader of the opposition and submitted his name to the Speaker.
Mr. Lungu argues that the Speaker’s decision to recognize Mr. Tembo instead undermines the constitution, parliamentary standing orders and democratic principles that allow political parties to choose their own leaders.
He has told Phoenix News that the matter goes beyond questions surrounding Mr. Tembo’s political allegiance, insisting that the key issue is the alleged failure to respect the established process for selecting the leader of the opposition.
Mr. Lungu adds that he has already discussed the matter with some members of parliament on the way forward, in order to compel the legislature and executive to uphold the law.
His comment follows the recognition of NRPUP President Ezra Tembo as Leader of Opposition in Parliament by Speaker of the National Assembly Nelly Mutti, raising concerns over Mr. Tembo’s allegiance to the opposition in the house after his withdraw from the alliance.
Meanwhile, Leader of Opposition in the National Assembly Ezra Tembo has called on stakeholders suggesting that the opposition will be weak in providing checks and balances to government to give him the benefit of doubt.
In an interview with Phoenix News, Mr. Tembo has expressed concern over some political leaders who have criticized his leadership without first engaging him to understand his capabilities and approach to opposition politics.
PHOENIX NEWS