KAMPYONGO SAYS HE IS THE LEGITIMATE LEADER OF OPPOSITION IN PARLEY.
Shiwang’andu Member of Parliament Stephen Kampyongo has called on the National Assembly to uphold constitutionalism and democratic principles amid a dispute over who should serve as Leader of the Opposition.
Mr Kampyongo maintains that he was duly elected to the position by the National Reconciliation Party for Unity and Prosperity (NRPUP), but says the party secretariat subsequently communicated different information to the National Assembly.
The dispute follows the decision by Speaker of the National Assembly Nelly Mutti to recognise Dag Hammarskjöld Member of Parliament Ezra Tembo as Leader of the Opposition.
Mr Kampyongo says his election took place during an orientation workshop attended by Mr Tembo. However, he claims that the party’s Secretary-General later communicated a different position to the National Assembly.
He has urged political parties and institutions of governance to respect democratic processes and constitutional principles, stressing that the opposition has a responsibility to provide accountability and checks and balances.
Mr Kampyongo has also advised Mr Tembo not to disregard what he describes as the will of the people in the selection of the opposition leadership.
Meanwhile, Mr Tembo says he is unaware of any meeting at which Mr Kampyongo was elected Leader of the Opposition.
He says the opposition will proceed based on what transpired in the National Assembly, following the Speaker’s decision to recognise him for the position.
Zambian Watch.