WINDHOEK – A surprising number of heavyweights in the National Unity Democratic Organisation (Nudo) did not make it onto the list of 96 nominees for the next parliament.
Some key notable absentees include Nudo members such as Okakarara Councillor Vetaruhe Kandorozu, Aminuis Councillor, Erwin Uanguta, Otjinene Councillor Adolfus and Nudo Chief Whip and Member of Parliament, Arnold Tjihuiko, among others.
The party’s one-day electoral college held in Windhoek on Saturday elected members who will represent the party in parliament, subject to the number of seats won in the National Assembly election in November.
According to Secretary General Meundju Jahanika, Uanguta was not interested in the electoral college, Kangootui could not make it and Kandorozu ruled himself out citing that he would concentrate on the Okakarara constituency.
“Most of the people in the regions were invited but they opted not to participate due to reasons only known to them,” said Jahanika yesterday.
“We went ahead with the selection process which was attended by more than 230 party members and as far as I am concerned the election process was free and fair,” he said.
“All I can tell you now is that we are expecting the party manifesto to be launched by the second week of this month (October),” he added.
Contacted for comment yesterday, Tjihuiko told New Era he could not take part in the electoral college “because the correct procedures were not followed”.
“Before the meeting I asked members to provide the financial statement of the party which they could not provide. Apart from that there are many other reasons that you might be aware of, things that have been happening,” he said, adding that the issue of threatening letters in his ward was another.
According to Tjihuiko the list is invalid. “Most of the people on the list that include Hariki Maundu were not even happy with the process at the electoral college and they left the meeting before it was over, so how can that list be valid?” he stressed.
Kandorozu, Uanguta and Kangootui could not be reached for comment at the time of going to print.
Apart from the decline in its key members the list also consists of less than ten non-Otjiherero speaking members. However Jahanika said Nudo is for all Namibians.
The top ten consists of a combination of young, female and experienced male politicians.
They are 1st – Party President Asser Mbai, 2nd – Secretary General Meundju Jahanika, 3rd – Women’s League leader Utjiua Muinjangue,4th – Youth League leader Suvee Tjiramba-Hijaupindi, 5th – National Chairman Hariki Maundu, 6th – Member of Parliament Addy Riruako, 7th – Ester Kake, 8th – Uaraa Uapingene, 9th – Vetondisa Tjijenda and 10th – Kavendjii Tjahuha
During the 2009 election the party only managed to gain two of the 78 parliamentary seats.
Namibians will go to the polls on November 28 for the Presidential and National Assembly elections.