Opposition must not win any seats - Oshana governor
Newly appointed Oshana governor Hofni Iipinge issued a stern directive to regional comrades to prevent opposition parties from winning seats in the upcoming regional and local government elections.
While addressing Swapo executive members in Oshakati this week, Iipinge said if members of the ruling party unite, adhere to the party’s constitution, rules and procedures, and conduct mass recruitment exercises, they are bound to emerge victorious during the November elections.
“If we allow ourselves to lose any regional council seats, this will mean the money will go to the opposition. At the local authorities, we have to win, so we give the people land, housing and all services, but now we find ourselves in situations where we are dominated by the opposition parties," he said.
The governor noted that in Windhoek, due to the high number of opposition seats, "things are not moving, and there are always problems... we have the majority of seats as a single party, but the other 10 seats are amongst the opposition; hence, that's why we need to make sure that in Oshana Region it must belong to Swapo only."
United
He said it's essential to understand the current political environment.
"Currently we are campaigning very hard because we don't want to be united, and this is a result of people not being able to read the current political dynamics.
“Let us be united and groom the young people so that we can move forward. Let us not be selfish... what’s important is the party’s success. No one is bigger than the party.”
He did not mince his words when questioning why elected local authority and regional councillors were absent from Tuesday’s meeting.
“I am disappointed not to see any regional councillor here," he said, adding that as elected representatives they have obligations.
“They should take part in party activities unless they have tendered an apology. They should also not get angry when being asked to account by members of the party because they were elected by fellow comrades to go and contest in those elections.”
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While addressing Swapo executive members in Oshakati this week, Iipinge said if members of the ruling party unite, adhere to the party’s constitution, rules and procedures, and conduct mass recruitment exercises, they are bound to emerge victorious during the November elections.
“If we allow ourselves to lose any regional council seats, this will mean the money will go to the opposition. At the local authorities, we have to win, so we give the people land, housing and all services, but now we find ourselves in situations where we are dominated by the opposition parties," he said.
The governor noted that in Windhoek, due to the high number of opposition seats, "things are not moving, and there are always problems... we have the majority of seats as a single party, but the other 10 seats are amongst the opposition; hence, that's why we need to make sure that in Oshana Region it must belong to Swapo only."
United
He said it's essential to understand the current political environment.
"Currently we are campaigning very hard because we don't want to be united, and this is a result of people not being able to read the current political dynamics.
“Let us be united and groom the young people so that we can move forward. Let us not be selfish... what’s important is the party’s success. No one is bigger than the party.”
He did not mince his words when questioning why elected local authority and regional councillors were absent from Tuesday’s meeting.
“I am disappointed not to see any regional councillor here," he said, adding that as elected representatives they have obligations.
“They should take part in party activities unless they have tendered an apology. They should also not get angry when being asked to account by members of the party because they were elected by fellow comrades to go and contest in those elections.”
[email protected]
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