All the 58 opposition United Party for National Development (UPND) Members of Parliament have stayed away from the ceremonial state opening of Parliament.
President Edgar Lungu today officially opened the 1st session of the 12th National Assembly in a colourful ceremony but without UPND MPs.
Parliament was only attended by 88 PF MPs, 14 independents, Four from MMD and a lone FDD member.
And UPND secretary general Stephen Katuka has refused to comment on the issue and referred all queries to party spokerspeson Charles Kakoma.
Asked by Zambian Eye in a telephone interview, Katuka said he could not comment as Kakoma is the right person to answer.
Kakoma’s phone was unreachable by press time.