ARMY personnel rehearsing ahead of today’s Constitution signing ceremony at the National Heroes Stadium in Lusaka. Picture by JAMES KUNDA

By CHILA NAMAIKO, MELBOURNE MUSHITU and REBECCA MUSHOTA –
THE Constitution fever has gripped the country as today, President Edgar Lungu unveils to Zambians the long-awaited people-driven Republican Constitution as he promised.
It is a promise he made to the Zambian people on January 24, 2015, when he was sworn in as Zambia’s sixth Head of State and he now returns to the same venue, Heroes Stadium in Lusaka, to give the people what he promised.
“I want to hand you a new Constitution. We’ll ensure we give you a people-driven Constitution,” these were his words at the stadium, during the swearing-in ceremony.
Various stakeholders have welcomed the President’s invitation to the landmark event of signing the  Constitution Amendment Bills.
Parliament recently passed the Constitution of Zambia Bill number 16 and Constitution Bill number 17 and the Head of State is today expected to assent to the Bills for them to be part of the highest law of the land.
The Constitution Bill number 17 provides for, among others, the 50 per cent plus one majoritarian vote for the Republican President, with the Vice-President coming in as a running mate. It also legalises dual citizenship.
Chief Chikanta of Southern Province said President Lungu was on the right track in fostering good governance and had fulfilled his promise to deliver a people-driven Constitution.
He said Mr Lungu had also shamed critics by staying true to his promise of delivering a Republican Constitution which the people of Zambia wanted.
In an interview yesterday, Chief Chikanta of the Tonga-speaking people in Kalomo District praised Mr Lungu for not having wasted time to sign the national document.
He said the signing of the Constitution Bills pointed to the fact that Mr Lungu was fulfilling most of his promises alongside the massive infrastructure projects dotted countrywide.
“I am so delighted that our President will sign the Constitution Bills tomorrow (today). This is a very commendable job because it is what the people of Zambia wanted,” he said.
The traditional leader said the people of Zambia should be happy that President Lungu was exhibiting good leadership centered on Christian values and good governance.
He was thankful to the Head of State for inviting all Zambians to the Constitution-signing ceremony and that he would personally attend to give solidarity.
Chief Chikanta was confident that the new Constitution would address challenges facing Zambians and give an opportunity to dialogue between Government and other players.
MMD president Nevers Mumba said his party was pleased that the Government had invited the public to witness the signing of the most important document in the country.
“This is why we worked hard towards the Constitution-making process so that every Zambian can benefit and contribute to national development,” he said.
Transparency International Zambia (TIZ) executive director Goodwell Lungu said the call by President Lungu showed that he valued and appreciated all Zambians.
Mr Lungu said 80 per cent of the people’s will was expressed during the Constitution-making process and that attending the signing ceremony was the best move.
“We welcome the invitation by President Lungu for people to attend the historical event which will put a smile on the face of every Zambian,” he said.
Mr Lungu urged the public to attend the ceremony for them to witness the country’s defining moment.
Patriotic Front (PF)  Lusaka Province chairperson Horace Longwe said the Presidential assentment to the Constitution Bills was a historical moment and, therefore, required to be signed in a place where most Zambians could attend and witness.
Mr Longwe said it was unfortunate that while some opposition political parties had been in the forefront pushing for the amendment of the Constitution, they were the same people who did not want it to be turned into law.
“Nonetheless, the aggregate is that we have fulfilled our campaign promise to deliver a new Constitution. We are proud of President Lungu,” Mr Longwe said.
Fourth Revolution president Eric Chanda said the invitation was not a good move because Zambia was currently facing economic challenges and that the event at Heroes Stadium would be costly.
Mr Chanda said President Lungu should have held a small ceremony at State House to save resources.