Ekandjo denies interest in Swapo presidency

STAFF REPORTER

Youth minister Jerry Ekandjo says reports linking him to the Swapo presidency are untrue.

Talk of an Ekandjo candidacy emerged yesterday, with some insiders claiming that he had made his intentions clear to challenge Swapo acting president Hage Geingob at this year’s elective congress.

The congress is scheduled for the end of the year. Approached for comment, Ekandjo said such talk should not be entertained at all.

“There is nothing. Why waste your time on street talk? Please dispel those rumours,” he said.

Ekandjo, who turns 70 on 17 March, is a Swapo stalwart and enjoys support from the party faithful.

He was particularly supported by the Swapo Party Youth League (SPYL) and Swapo women’s wing leadership when he challenged for the Swapo vice-president’s position at the ruling party’s congress in 2012.

At that congress Ekandjo ultimately lost out to Geingob who later became the party’s candidate in the 2014 presidential election.

The other candidate who stood for the vice-presidency was home affairs minister Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana.

At the December 2012 congress, Geingob received an overwhelming vote of 312, while Ekandjo received 220 votes, with Iivula-Ithana getting 64 votes.

There appears to be unprecedented upheaval in the ruling party ahead of the congress. According to a party source, many aspiring candidates for the top four positions are still playing their cards close their chests.

However, there is intense lobbying going on behind the scenes, Namibian Sun understands.

In recent weeks, former prime minister Nahas Angula indicated that he would stand for the Swapo vice-president's position if nominated.

In an earlier interview with Namibian Sun, youthful politician Job Amupanda also set his sights on challenging for one of the top four positions.