Nashinge clears air as Itula retains national role

Spokesperson and leader of the opposition party Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) in parliament, Imms Nashinge has dismissed claims of confusion over who officially holds the position of leader of the opposition.This comes after instances where IPC president Panduleni Itula has also referred to himself as leader of the opposition at certain non-governmental events.Namibian Sun understands that Nashinge has been reluctant to attend certain governmental functions, including last week’s Heroes Day commemoration in the Zambezi Region because of the so-called confusion regarding the official leader role. "Correct your rumour mongers that the reason I did not go is because of the fuel I did not have and the disorganization! Else good luck with your cheap politics compatriot," Nashinge told Network Media Hub (NMH) on Monday. Nashinge insisted there is no confusion and warned against attempts to create what he called “confusion narratives.“Confusion around this matter is only for individual Namibians who are refusing to accept change and have political agendas known to themselves. At national level and at national events, logic dictates that Dr. Itula is the leader and president of the IPC, the second-largest political party in Namibia. I am a delegated leader of the official opposition in parliament, delegated to deal with the party matters in parliament. My role as the leader of the official opposition in parliament is strictly in parliament,” he explained.“Who does not know that Dr. Itula is the president of IPC, which is the national and official opposition political party in Namibia? That automatically makes him the leader of the official opposition political party in Namibia. And if he referred to himself as the leader of the opposition at certain governmental events, then he is right. Even a toddler knows that Dr. Itula, as the president of IPC, is the leader of the official opposition political party in Namibia. That is a fact that no one can take away, over 280 000 Namibians voted for him,"Itula could not be reached for comment during the time of the publication, however, five months ago, Itula rejected the position of Leader of the Official Opposition in Parliament, branding it unconstitutional and without legal basis.Speaking at the announcement of the party’s shadow cabinet, Itula made it clear that IPC would take a different approach to opposition politics.He said that rather than assuming the traditional opposition leadership role, IPC’s parliamentary representatives would function as an ultimate accountability committee, acting as a shadow cabinet to scrutinise government actions. “The purpose of this statement is to address and critically analyse the so-called Office of the Official Opposition in Namibia, a position that has been treated as if it is an official public office despite having no legal foundation, beginning with the Namibian Constitution and extending to the relevant structures. It will demonstrate that the Namibian Constitution does not establish that office, titled ‘Leader of the Office of the Official Opposition,’ as administrative, ceremonial, and symbolic, rather than lawful,” Itula said.He further emphasised that opposition is not merely tolerated but is a vital element in shaping governance.Itula stressed that effective opposition helps the government avoid mistakes and improves policymaking for the benefit of all Namibians. “Modern democracy is not built through majority rule. It is a political system that combines the leadership and responsibility of governments with fundamental rights, the rule of law, checks and balances, impartial administration, and means of participatory engagement and open-party discussion among our people and those who represent us,"Despite announcing plans to challenge the legality of the proclamation in court, IPC in the same month appointed Nashinge to facilitate the role in the National Assembly.This move followed a strategic decision by party leadership to provisionally accept the position, pending a court ruling, while maintaining their objection to its legality. Nashinge, who accepted the role, said the appointment is about structure and discipline within IPC, which he said leads “with respect for everyone,”nikanor@nmh-hub.com.na

Nashinge clears air as Itula retains national role

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Namibian Sun 2025-09-03

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Nashinge clears air as Itula retains national role

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Namibian Sun 2025-09-03

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