The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has demanded for the resignation of Speaker of the National Assembly Dr Patrick Matibini, alleging that he is playing politics in his handling of the Constitution Amendment Bill No. 10 of 2018.

And Kabwita has urged lawmakers to consider impeaching Dr Matibini if he does not vacate office of his own free will.

In a statement, Thursday, NDC national youth chairman Charles Kabwita called on Dr Matibini to resign following his decision where the latter insisted that Parliament would proceed to debate the controversial Amendment Bill 10.

He observed that the Speaker’s decision to proceed with the contentious National Dialogue Forum (NDF) Bill in Parliament despite the matter having been lodged in court cast a shadow of doubt on his credibility.

“As youths from the opposition NDC party, we are urging the speaker of the National Assembly Dr Patrick Matibini to vacate his office. Speaker Matibini in our view is playing politics and is not impartial in his dealings. The response given by the Speaker that Parliament will go ahead and discuss the contentious NDF Bill Number 10 makes us doubt his credibility,” Kabwita stated.

“How can the Speaker allow this bill to be tabled when the matter has been taken to the courts of law? This is the same Speaker who refused to table the impeachment motion before the house because the matter was before the courts of law. Surely, the Speaker is now playing politics! We are wondering why the Speaker wants to rush this bill, which bill has raised a lot of concern among citizens.”

And Kabwita urged lawmakers to consider impeaching the Speaker if he did not vacate office of his own free will.

“Bill Number 10 should be stopped at all means because most of the clauses contained therein are inimical and will negate Zambia’s democratic gains. As NDC youths, we urge lawmakers to consider impeaching the Speaker if he does not vacate office on his own volition. The Office of the Speaker requires someone with high and unquestionable integrity. Suffice to say, the Patrick Matibini we knew as a private lawyer is different from the Speaker we know today,” lamented Kabwita.