Geingob supporting no one in VP race – Hengari
• President pleads neutrality ahead of congress
The presidency has denied a report that the head of state has silently thrown his weight behind tourism minister Pohamba Shifeta.
STAFF REPORTERWINDHOEK
President Hage Geingob is sticking to his decision not to endorse any Swapo vice-president candidate for reasons of fair play, his office reiterated yesterday.
The presidency was reacting to a Namibian Sun report that Geingob, who is believed to have wanted to be succeeded by defence minister Frans Kapofi, is now backing tourism minister Pohamba Shifeta for the position. The winner of the vice-president race at congress - between Shifeta, international relations minister Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah and Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila - will become the party’s candidate in the 2024 national presidential elections.
Geingob last week travelled to Angola with Shifeta for the inauguration of the second term of that country’s president João Lourenço, and the pair proceeded to England for the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II.
A source told Namibian Sun: “Hage in Angola called a meeting with 16 presidents who were there and introduced Pohamba Shifeta as his candidate”.
Emphasising unity
“President Geingob did not endorse Honourable Pohamba Shifeta for the position of vice-president in Luanda, Angola,” his press secretary Alfredo Hengari said.
“First, the claim was that President Geingob was supporting the Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila and then Honourable Frans Kapofi. And now Honourable Shifeta. The question is: How many people can President Geingob support in one week?”
Hengari added: “It is wholly understandable that the ruling party Swapo, helmed by President Geingob, will always attract curious onlookers and speculations. President Geingob has always emphasised unity and, as head of the Swapo Party, will work with whoever emerges victorious at the November 2022 congress.”
President Hage Geingob is sticking to his decision not to endorse any Swapo vice-president candidate for reasons of fair play, his office reiterated yesterday.
The presidency was reacting to a Namibian Sun report that Geingob, who is believed to have wanted to be succeeded by defence minister Frans Kapofi, is now backing tourism minister Pohamba Shifeta for the position. The winner of the vice-president race at congress - between Shifeta, international relations minister Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah and Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila - will become the party’s candidate in the 2024 national presidential elections.
Geingob last week travelled to Angola with Shifeta for the inauguration of the second term of that country’s president João Lourenço, and the pair proceeded to England for the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II.
A source told Namibian Sun: “Hage in Angola called a meeting with 16 presidents who were there and introduced Pohamba Shifeta as his candidate”.
Emphasising unity
“President Geingob did not endorse Honourable Pohamba Shifeta for the position of vice-president in Luanda, Angola,” his press secretary Alfredo Hengari said.
“First, the claim was that President Geingob was supporting the Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila and then Honourable Frans Kapofi. And now Honourable Shifeta. The question is: How many people can President Geingob support in one week?”
Hengari added: “It is wholly understandable that the ruling party Swapo, helmed by President Geingob, will always attract curious onlookers and speculations. President Geingob has always emphasised unity and, as head of the Swapo Party, will work with whoever emerges victorious at the November 2022 congress.”
Comments
Namibian Sun
No comments have been left on this article