“ZAMBIA’S CONSTITUTIONAL QUAGMIRE: LUNGU’S REFUSAL TO HAND Over POWER”
By Timmy
The Zambian Constitution is clear: when a presidential election petition is filed, the President must cease to exercise the powers and functions of the office pending the determination of the petition. However, in 2016, President Edgar Lungu refused to hand over power to the Speaker, arguing that the Constitution did not explicitly state that he should do so. This move was widely criticized by Zambians and civil society groups, who argued that it was unconstitutional and undermined the rule of law.
Lungu’s actions can be seen as a controversial and potentially unconstitutional breach. His refusal to hand over power to the Speaker was a clear violation of Article 105 of the Constitution, which states that the President must cease to exercise the powers and functions of the office pending the determination of the petition.
The implications of Lungu’s actions extend far beyond his own political ambitions. His disregard for the constitution has eroded trust in the democratic process and undermined the integrity of Zambia’s institutions. If allowed to continue, this trend will have far-reaching consequences for the country’s stability and democratic future.
Lungu’s eligibility to contest the 2026 elections has been a subject of debate, with many arguing that he is not eligible due to his previous two terms in office. The Constitutional Court’s recent ruling has declared him ineligible to contest the 2026 elections.
As Zambians, we must not forget the lessons of the past. Lungu’s presidency was a disaster, and his return to power would be catastrophic. We must stand firm against his attempts to subvert the constitution and demand that he respects the rule of law.
The PF’s desperation to cling to power again is evident in their attempts to bribe and intimidate anyone who opposes them. However, their tactics will not work. The people of Zambia are awake, and we will not be silenced.
Edgar Lungu’s presidential ambitions are a threat to Zambia’s democracy and stability. We must reject his candidacy and demand that he respects the constitution. Anything less would be a betrayal of the trust that the people of Zambia have placed in their leaders.
WAGON MEDIA
“Whenever we depart from the great principles of truth and honesty, of equal freedom and justice to all men whether in our relations with other states, or in our dealings with our fellow-men, the evil that we do surely comes back to us, and the suffering and poverty and crime of which we are the direct or indirect causes, help to impoverish ourselves.” (from Bad Times, 1885)
“Truth is born into this world only with pangs and tribulations, and every fresh truth is received unwillingly. To expect the world to receive a new truth, or even an old truth, without challenging it, is to look for one of those miracles which do not occur.” (from an interview of Wallace published posthumously in 1913)
IT WOULD BE NAIVE OF ZAMBIANS TO RETURN TO THAT CONFUSION THAT RELEGATED LAW ENFORCERS TO SCAMPER IN ALL DIRECTIONS AT THE SIGHT OF A PF CADRE.
IT WOULD BE FOLLY TO EVEN ENTERTAIN THE THOUGHT OF HAVING PF BACK WITH THE ‘PANGA- RELOADED HORROR MOVIE’.
IT WOULD BE FOLLY TO WANT TO RETURN TO ‘KAMUGODI’ TORTURE CHAMBERS IN MARKETS AND BUS STATIONS.
IT WOULD NAIVE OF ZAMBIANS TO HAVE TO RETURN TO THE MEDIOCRITY OF TRIBALISTS LIKE NKANDU LUO AND GANG.
IT WOULD BE FOLLY TO RETURN TO THE POSSIBILITY OF A TRIBAL CLEANSING.
WHAT ABOUT THE GUN CULTURE WE SAW SPRINGING UP AND THE POLICE HAD NOTHING TO SAY?
NO WAY, PF AND ECL? LET US LOOK FORWARD TO A SOBER SEA OF YOUTH WHO WILL BE DIFFERENT FROM FRED MMEMBE, MWAMBA, KAIZER ZULU, MUNIR ZULU, MPUNDU, KAFWAYA, JJ, MWANZA, ETC.
BY THE WAY WHERE IS ECL’s PPIMMIDIATE PAST POLITICAL ADVISOR?
ALL THESE YOUTHFUL FELLOWS HAVE BEEN A DISAPPOINTMENT. ONE WOULD HAVE THOUGHT THE CLERGY COULD BE TRUSTED WITH PEACE AND UNITY, BUT SOME LED THEIR FLOCKS INTO WILD OBLIVION.
TIME TO GROOM DECENT LEADERSHIP FOR THE FUTURE IS NOW.
You are not making sense !!!