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President Hakainde Hichilema has described himself as the country’s ‘number one spy,’ saying he was fully aware of opposition political party tactics and successfully outmanoeuvred opponents of Constitution Amendment Bill No. 7 by anticipating and thwarting their plans.
Speaking at a mass rally in Choma on Wednesday, Hichilema said the ruling UPND did not have sufficient numbers in Parliament to pass the Bill on its own but managed to do so by mobilising support from Independent and Patriotic Front (PF) Members of Parliament.
“We brought Bill 7 out of love for women who were not represented in Parliament, and MPs voted for it. Some people were speaking against it, yet they intended to vote for it.
“Because I am the number one spy, I knew what was happening. UPND had only 98 votes, but we needed 111, so we had to calculate carefully,” Hichilema said in Tonga.
Read more: President Hichilema signs Constitution Amendment Bill No.7 into law, calls for unity
President Hichilema said Bill 7 was aimed at promoting inclusivity, particularly for women and young people, noting that it provides for the nomination of 20 women and 15 youths to Parliament.
He urged voters in Southern Province to turn out in large numbers for the 2026 general elections, stating that he expected no fewer than one million votes from the province’s 1.1 million registered voters, describing the election as a “must-win.”
The President warned that if he were voted out of office, the country could descend into a cycle of vengeance, claiming that people from Southern Province would be targeted under a new administration.
He further said his government had stabilised the economy, adding that the exchange rate was under control, and defended UPND policies such as free education, which he said were benefiting all Zambians, including those opposed to his leadership.
Reflecting on past grievances, President Hichilema said people from Southern Province had previously faced discrimination but noted that the situation was improving under his administration.
He also apologised to farmers over delayed payments, assuring them that funds were now being disbursed.
Looking ahead, Hichilema reiterated that retaining power in the 2026 general elections was non-negotiable to ensure continuity of the UPND’s development agenda.
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