Most useless, annoying Parliament ever, says Sinkamba
By Thandizo Banda
GREEN Party (GP) president Peter Sinkamba says Zambians are relieved that the 13th National Assembly has adjourned, branding it “the most useless and annoying” Parliament in history.
Commenting on Parliament closing sine die, Sinkamba said presiding officers were partisan and destroyed the country’s democracy.
“…and I hope the next sitting will have order befitting an August House. Not this one. We are happy that this annoying Parliament has come to a close, much to the relief of Zambians,” Sinkamba said.
He said the 13th Session of the National Assembly was “useless”.
“I describe the 13th Session of the National Assembly, which adjourned sine die on Tuesday, as the most useless. How do you pass 74 bills overnight? What scrutiny did MPs do? This was not law-making. It was law-dumping,” he said.
Sinkamba accused members of Parliament of abandoning their oversight role on critical issues such as the cost of living, Constituency Development Fund (CDF) delays in disbursement and debt.
He said instead of debating real issues affecting the people of Zambia, the MPs had spent time defecting and securing their personal benefits at the expense of the nation.
“Instead of debating real issues, MPs spent time defecting and clapping for every bill. The people lost their voice. Most opposition MPs have shown more desire for money over principle,” he said.
Sinkamba also warned those who had defected to the ruling United Party for National Development (UPND) would face the grassroots and most of them would be rejected.
He said most of the MPs who had crossed to the UPND had been rejected in the primary elections and warned they would lose pitifully if they were imposed on the voters.
“You cannot eat with both hands, betray the voters who sent you on one ticket, then expect the same voters to reward you with adoption or re-election on another ticket. If you’re rejected today, don’t cry. You taught the voters how to reject,” he said.
Sinkamba urged Zambians to take governance as a serious undertaking.
They should avoid giving power to jokers and men and women without principles.
“We urge Zambians to scrutinise candidates to avoid bringing in selfish politicians whose sole purpose was to enrich themselves,” Sinkamba said.
Several MPs who ditched opposition parties for the ruling party after 2021 have reportedly failed to secure adoption for the August 13, 2026 polls.
Sinkamba, a member of the Tonse Alliance, said Zambians would deliver a decisive verdict on August 13 on who should govern them next after the failed Hakainde Hichilema-led UPND.
“The overwhelming message by Zambians desiring change in the forthcoming polls is becoming louder and more consistent,” he said.
