REJECT WAMUYAYAYA
…UPND plotting changes to entrench power, says Kunda
By Ludia Ngwadzai
ZAMBIANS must reject any attempt by the ruling United Party for National Development (UPND) to turn the country into a one-party state, Zambia Wake-up Party (ZAWAPA) president Howard Kunda has warned.
In an interview with The Mast, Kunda warned the UPND government against attempts to introduce a one-party state through its intentions to remove the presidential term limit.
He said Zambians would not tolerate such moves, describing them as dictatorial.
“This should be taken with the contempt that it deserves. This is not a country for UPND but a country for Zambians,” Kunda said.
He accused the UPND government of disrespecting the very people who voted it into power in 2021.
His remarks come in response to calls by some senior UPND members to remove presidential term limits from the Constitution.
UPND member Cosmas Chileshe had argued that any provision barring President Hakainde Hichilema from contesting after his term ends in 2031 should be scrapped, citing the will of the people.
Last week there was also a report that some university students are planning to petition government to introduce an amendment to the Constitution to remove the presidential term limit so that Hichilema can continue ruling without being subjected to an election.
But Kunda dismissed such discussions as a recipe for anarchy and disaster.
“Zambians are now aware that this government wants to take us to a one-party state. They want to change the Constitution to make Hichilema a wamuyayay type of a president. This should not be allowed,” he said.
Kunda warned the UPND against testing the patience of Zambians on governance matters such as elections.
The UPND’s push for constitutional amendments has sparked controversy, with critics arguing it is an attempt to cling to power.
Critics have accused the party of sponsoring its supporters to call for the removal of the presidential term limit to test the waters and see how Zambians will react.
