UPND shamelessly used me to demonise PF – Samakayi

…warns that no matter the amount of lies surrounding Bill 7, the voting is a hot potato better buried as he complains that President Hichilema is wrong to accuse him of having voted against the bill when he in fact voted for it, says there must be something deep-seated in Bill 7 accusation

By BARNABAS ZULU

“THE UPND has shamelessly used me to defend them against the Patriotic Front (PF) in Mwinilunga and really have to apologise to both my family and who believed in me for being a member of the ruling party,” Newton Samakayi has complained.

And Mr Samakayi has told President Hakainde Hichilema that it is not true that he had voted against the controversial Bill 7, insisting that in fact he was among the Members of Parliament who voted for the bill.

Mr Samakayi, the former Mwinilunga UPND Member of Parliament has however warned that no matter the amount of lies about the controversy surrounding Bill 7 the voting pattern was a “hot potato” that was better remaining permanently buried.

“There is no argument that UPND has shamelessly used me to defend them against PF in Mwinilunga. Ask Hon Mwila (Davis), the former PF secretary general, Mr Malanji (Joseph), Bukali (former North-Western Permanent Secretary) and any PF stalwart. I really have apologies to make to my family and those who believed in me,” Mr Samakayi said.

Breaking his silence on allegations that he voted against Bill No. 7, Mr Samakayi has insisted that he actually voted in favour of the controversial legislation.

Mr Samakayi described the accusations against him as one of the saddest moments of his political life and appealed for transparency regarding the parliamentary voting record.

He said he had chosen to remain silent out of respect for his elders and cultural values despite knowing that the allegations being made against him were untrue.

“As per Lunda custom, which I am proud of, we do not over-explain ourselves when elders are insisting on something that is not correct. You keep quiet not because you are guilty, but as a sign of reverence to those elders,” Mr Samakayi said.

Mr Samakayi said he had remained loyal to President Hichilema and the UPND despite political challenges he had faced, including being prevented from contesting elections.

“I chose peace. The President did not want me to contest, not even as an independent, and I chose not to be stubborn. That is a great measure of loyalty to my President,” Mr Samakayi said.

He disclosed that there had been calls from residents of Mwinilunga for him to stand as an independent candidate because some people in North-Western Province disagreed with the party’s position on certain issues, but he remained committed to the party.

Mr Samakayi said he was particularly troubled by claims that he had voted against Bill 7 when he had consistently advocated for delimitation and development in North-Western Province.

“Is it not ironical that the person who was singing delimitation and development for North-Western Province could not vote for Bill 7?” he asked.

He also claimed that there were several inconsistencies surrounding the Bill 7 voting controversy.

Mr Samakayi explained that the announcement made by the Speaker of the National Assembly, Nelly Mutti differed from claims being made by party officials regarding the vote.

He also questioned why the official voting results had not yet been released, arguing that their publication would settle the matter once and for all.

“The results have not been released because that is where the lies are accommodated,” he alleged.

Ends.