By Chisomo Phiri
The Main opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) says the Mulanje Central lawmaker Kondwani Nankhumwa, whom Speaker of Parliament recognised as Leader of Opposition during Wednesday’s Business Committee meeting, should not dare sit in the front row of DPP benches today when President Lazarus Chakwera opens the Budget Meeting of Parliament.
According to the party’s Spokesperson Shadrick Namalomba, Nankhumwa is not a member of the DPP and therefore cannot lead the DPP.
“For the sake of peace and decorum, he should not dare to sit on our benches. He is not a member of the DPP,” Namalomba said.
He said if the Speaker wants to continue recognising Nankhumwa as Leader of Opposition, she can allocate him a sit on other benches but not in front of DPP lawmakers.
Traditionally, Leader of the House sits on the third seat in the front row, directly opposite his government counterpart, the Leader of the House.
However,if the DPP’s wishes are granted, it would be the first time to have a Leader of Opposition leading from the independent benches or from the back.
On Wednesday morning, there was drama at parliament when both Chaponda and Nankhumwa Nankhumwa turned up for the business committee meeting.
Nankhumwa was recently fired from the DPP & the party appointed Chaponda as the new leader of opposition.
He obtained an injunction restricting Chaponda from taking up the new role insisting procedures were flouted when expelling him.
The speaker allowed Nankhumwa to attend the meeting and Chaponda was turned back.
The DPP has now appointed Mary Navicha as the Leader of Opposition in the house.
© Malawi News Online
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