By Chisomo Phiri
President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera has snubbed a direct request from the Leader of Opposition in Parliament, Kondwani Nankhumwa, to appear in the August House to respond to two motions.
Last week, Nankhumwa wrote President Chakwera to respond to the scarcity of maize, fertilizer, and acute forex shortages.
In the other motion,the opposition leader demanded that Chakwera give reasons for his government’s insistence on using the national identity card as the only document to register in the voter’s roll amidst the challenges facing the exercise.
But in a brief statement, presidential press secretary Anthony Kasunda says the president cannot meddle in legislative affairs.
“The two motions were defeated, and the President cannot impose himself on Parliament.
“When there is a consensus, the President gets communication from the office of the Speaker,” said Kasunda.
Commenting on the matter, political analyst and the lecturer at the University of Malawi Ernest Thindwa also trashed Nankhumwa’s request saying there is no need for the President to face Parliament.
Thindwa observed that Chakwera has demonstrated boldness and commitment to the rule of law in facing Parliament.
He said: “As Leader of Opposition in Parliament, Nankhumwa’s demands are understandable, but politics aside, one would contend that issues for which he wanted the response from the President have been ably addressed by appropriate ministers, rendering Chakwera’s appearance before legislators inconsequential.”
