Party leader, Njobvu, demands accountability, transparency as Hichilema govt pushes harder on constitution amendment

Democratic Union (DU) Party leader, Ackim Njobvu, has called on the government to disclose the costs associated with the ongoing constitutional amendment process, citing the absence of funding for the exercise in the current national budget.

Njobvu said the lack of financial transparency was particularly worrying at a time when Zambia was grappling with economic hardships and citizens were struggling with poverty.

In an interview with Zambia Monitor in Lusaka, Njobvu also questioned the timing and motivation behind the proposed constitutional amendment, describing the current political climate as highly charged.

He expressed suspicion that the government could be attempting to manipulate next year’s elections or gain political advantage through the amendment process.

“The introduction of the issue was premature, and there were discrepancies between the President’s statements and the Justice Minister’s clarification on the existence of a draft constitution,” Njobvu said.

He also criticised the proposed roadmap for the amendment process, describing it as rushed and lacking adequate time for broad consultation and consideration of potential impacts.

Njobvu further raised concern over the lack of detail regarding the delimitation of constituencies, warning that it could lead to gerrymandering.

Read More: Lawyers reject proposed piecemeal amendments of constitution, describe move as resurrection of Bill 10 through backdoor

“There is need for a transparent and inclusive process that involves all stakeholders, including traditional leaders and ordinary citizens, to ensure their concerns and interests are taken into account,” he emphasized.

The DU leader stressed the importance of involving political parties, civil society organisations, and faith-based institutions to build trust and consensus on the constitutional reform process.

He also urged the government to maintain consistent and accurate communication regarding the objectives and progress of the exercise.

“Priority should be given to citizen welfare, including food security and economic stability, rather than focusing on constitutional amendments,” Njobvu said.

He concluded that by addressing concerns and adopting a more inclusive and transparent approach, the government could build public confidence and ensure that the process served the best interests of the Zambian people.

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