Rudolf Gaiseb
Allegations of a potential rift between the official opposition leader in the National Assembly Imms Nashinge and IPC president Panduleni Itula are devoid of any truth and peddled by those preoccupied with sowing division within Namibia’s second-largest political party.
This is the position of the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) and its leaders across different platforms in response to reports suggesting the relationship between Nashinge and his supremo, Itula, is at an all-time low.
At the heart of the purported feud is who the real “leader of the opposition” is.
As things stand, in Parliament, Nashinge is the official opposition and enjoys the perks that come with the position.
Beyond parliament, it is Itula who is the leader of the official opposition.
Responding, Nashinge dismissed claims that Itula warned him against responding as the official opposition leader.
Nashinge branded it a “terrible lie.”
Itula’s warning was allegedly made last year in December.
IPC, on the other hand, said the party remains a “cohesive” and “disciplined movement”.
“There is no power struggle. Honourable Immanuel Nashinge executes his duties within the National Assembly under the strategic guidance of the party president and the IPC Constitution. The attempt by external actors to manufacture a ‘clash’ using bodyguards and vehicles as a metric for leadership is a shallow tactic that will not succeed,” the party said.
It further stressed that Itula is the only political leader who “by choice” does not receive a salary, as he is “not a politician of a belly”.
The parliamentary benefits go to Nashinge, who is also the party’s national spokesperson, IPC continued.
Prior, Nashinge explained to New Era that he remains the party’s leading representative figure in Parliament as “leader of the official opposition in the National Assembly”.
Analysts
“Legally, the title of ‘leader of the opposition’ in Parliament usually attaches to the person recognised within the legislative chamber. Outside Parliament, the party president can exercise authority over party structures and policy, but the law may not formally recognise them as the opposition leader unless parliamentary rules are amended or clarified,” political analyst Ndumba Kamwanyah said.
“Nashinge’s role as the leader of the party in Parliament remains clear, because parliamentary recognition generally depends on who sits and acts in the legislature.
“So is Itula, as party president, who has broader authority over the party as an organisation, but not necessarily over parliamentary processes,” he said.
Conflict
Kamwanyah added that this dual structure can affect the running of the party by creating overlaps or disputes over messaging, representation and strategy.
For IPC to avoid the purported ongoing friction, it would be important to clearly outline responsibilities and communication protocols so that both leaders understand their scope of authority and the public can clearly distinguish between party leadership and parliamentary opposition leadership.
According to him, without this, there is a real risk of mixed signals and internal chaos.
Private project
Meanwhile, political analyst Rui Tyitende said IPC is and will remain Itula’s private project for as long as the party exists and he is alive.
He criticised Itula, saying while he speaks the language of a democrat and has memorised the country’s Constitution, his political behaviour is anti-democratic.
Tyitende said this picture is revealed by the party’s constitution and internal electoral processes.
“Leaders who obsess over titles are not real leaders at all,” he said.
He added that “real leadership is grounded in empathy and restraint and an absolute focus towards the plight of the Namibian populace – and not only during an election cycle”.
Tyitende believes that Itula, being out of the National Assembly, is a self-inflicted wound based on his belief that he would have won the 2024 presidential elections and his own interpretation of the constitution.
“It was a serious political miscalculation that he will unfortunately not heal from, and Nashinge will have to endure the brunt of that decision,” he maintained.
