By RABECCA CHIPANTA –
THE Church in Ndola has commended President Edgar Lungu for assenting to the Constitution amendments as the clauses will help stop tribalism in politics.
Newly elected chairperson for Churches of Christ Association of Ndola Joseph Samalesu said in an interview yesterday that his association appreciated President Lungu’s move.
Mr Samalesu said the Head of State was a brave man who has given the people what they wanted.
He said with the inclusion of the 50 per cent plus one vote for election of the Republican President, people would no longer vote on tribal lines but on campaign messages and ability of a candidate to deliver.
He urged the clergy in Zambia to sensitise their members about  the Constitution because some people thought that the document favoured certain groups of people.
“As the clergy we must be loyal to our leaders. We should pray for our leaders and peace to prevail over our nation. We need to pray for peace so that we continue enjoying the peace we have enjoyed for the past 50 years,” Mr Samalesu said.
He urged Government to translate the Constitution into the seven major languages so that more people could read it.
“We have lined up various programmes for the youth on the Constitution because we believe we have to start from the grassroots. There is need for youths to understand what is in the Constitution,” he said.
He also said that the dual citizenship clause would encourage Zambian nationals abroad to return and contribute to Zambia’s development.