UPND MORE USEFUL AS OPPOSITION PARTY – SHAMENDA
YOU must be back in the opposition to provide effective checks and balances, former minister of labour Fackson Shamenda has told the ruling United Party for National Development (UPND) government
In an interview with The Mast Wednesday, Shamenda said the UPND performed well as an opposition political party and should be praised for keeping the government of the time in check.
“The UPND was a force to reckon with when it was in opposition, showcasing remarkable discipline and unity that ultimately propelled it to power. The UPND kept government in check. It gave government then sleepless nights,” he said.
Shamenda, however, expressed disappointment with the UPND’s performance in the four years they have been in government.
“They were good before they formed government, compared to now,” he said.
Shamenda suggested that the UPND’s strength lay in opposition, where it could effectively hold the weak government accountable.
“I admire the UPND as an opposition political party. They are very disciplined, strong and united. In my view, I would rather have UPND in opposition because they will keep the weak government in check,” he said.
A strong opposition was needed in a democracy for checks and balances.
Shamenda said in a democracy it was not possible to give a blank cheque to the ruling party because it would compromise governance.
“In any democracy, a strong opposition is important and cardinal. It plays its oversight role effectively, a government is kept in check for excessive power or abuse of power,” he said.
Shamenda said it was better for the nation to have a weaker ruling party in power than in the opposition.
“I would rather have a weak political party in State House rather than a weak opposition,” he said
Shamenda said the regime change that took place in 2021 “…even the fall of Bill 10, was because of the discipline exhibited by UPND in the opposition. It defeated Bill 10 during the Patriotic Front (PF) regime. And the UPND did well in that area,” Shamenda said.
The Mast
Mr. Fack, UPND is still a better government than your now fragmented PF.
Shamenda is not useful for anything, useless chap, nothing he did for workers but for his pocket. Shut up and sit down, clown. Can you honestly compare pf government to upnd, dishonest chap.
White grey hair are the people we used to respect those old days not this time very is nothing we can point I expected shamenda to talk about the burial for Edgar lungu but the man decided to talk nonsense without mentioning where government it is not doing well and apart from that he never mentioned the over borrowing under PF criminals they made.
Forgive him. He is saying he would love a weak party in Government than a strong upnd in government and weak pf in opposition. Truly, upnd is way above pf no wonder pf has not criticised upnd meaningfully. All they do is just waffling
Fackson Shamende’s assertions that the UPND should return to being an opposition party are misplaced, unfounded, and detached from reality. The UPND government, under the leadership of President Hakainde Hichilema, has stabilized the economy and restored respect for the rule of law.
Some individuals, including Fackson Shamende, appear unsettled by the fact that the UPND is on the right trajectory toward economic recovery and development. No matter what the UPND does, unwise and bitter critics will always find reasons to ridicule and condemn the government.
One is left to wonder what meaningful contributions Fackson Shamende himself made during his time as a minister. Constructive criticism is welcome in any democracy, but relentless attacks devoid of reason or substance do nothing to advance national development. Zambia deserves mature, well-reasoned discourse not baseless accusations driven by bitterness.
“I would rather have a weak political party in State House rather than a weak opposition,” he said .We have a rather foolish elderly man here.
He is preoccupied with his stomach and the salary he lost, nothing else.
The motive is stealing from public resources.