Shikomba relentless in SPYL lawsuit threat
One of the hopeful candidates planning to contest for the Swapo Party Youth League (SPYL) top seat is threatening to sue the young wing for its decision to endorse its top two leaders as sole candidates at the upcoming congress slated for August.
Last month’s SPYL central committee (CC) endorsed secretary Ephraim Nekongo and his deputy Christine Haindaka as sole candidates.
This move, SPYL member Fillemon Shikomba said, infringes on his inner-party rights that allow him to contest for positions, adding that the endorsements are “illegal”.
He shared his concerns in a letter sent to Nekongo earlier this week.
Shikomba said it is inappropriate for the CC to issue a statement of endorsement "when the regions are not done with the restructuring and renewal of its mandate".
He also claimed that the actions of the CC defeat the purpose of a congress.
"The endorsements are a voice of the minority; they are a deliberate attempt to influence congress and remove democracy and free and fair elections that our country is founded on. Most importantly, they do not reflect the will of the people," the letter read.
Robbed of his rights
Shikomba further accused Nekongo and the CC of robbing him of his right to run for the position, despite his intentions being clear from the start.
"I have made my intention to run for SPYL secretary public, and hereby inform you that my right has been taken away by you and your CC.
“The SPYL constitution does not give the CC the absolute right to endorse and nominate candidates," the letter further stressed.
He gave the youth wing until today to meet his demands, which include rescinding the endorsements.
This while Nekongo indicated that SPYL would not entertain Shikomba’s letter.
Undermining us
Approached for comment on Shikomba’s allegations, Nekongo said: “The concerns will not affect my position in any way”.
"I have made it categorically clear that no constitutional obligation has been breached. If he wants to go to court, we will not stop him. This will have no effect on me at all."
Nekongo further said that Shikomba, with his letter, is undermining 52 elected members of the CC who allowed for the decision to be a valid one.
"If this [the withdrawal of the endorsements] is not fulfilled, I will be forced to exercise my right to use the courts to enforce the rights afforded to me by both the SPYL and Namibian Constitution," Shikomba wrote.
To that, Nekongo said the decision to endorse him and his deputy was done democratically and constitutionally.
Last month’s SPYL central committee (CC) endorsed secretary Ephraim Nekongo and his deputy Christine Haindaka as sole candidates.
This move, SPYL member Fillemon Shikomba said, infringes on his inner-party rights that allow him to contest for positions, adding that the endorsements are “illegal”.
He shared his concerns in a letter sent to Nekongo earlier this week.
Shikomba said it is inappropriate for the CC to issue a statement of endorsement "when the regions are not done with the restructuring and renewal of its mandate".
He also claimed that the actions of the CC defeat the purpose of a congress.
"The endorsements are a voice of the minority; they are a deliberate attempt to influence congress and remove democracy and free and fair elections that our country is founded on. Most importantly, they do not reflect the will of the people," the letter read.
Robbed of his rights
Shikomba further accused Nekongo and the CC of robbing him of his right to run for the position, despite his intentions being clear from the start.
"I have made my intention to run for SPYL secretary public, and hereby inform you that my right has been taken away by you and your CC.
“The SPYL constitution does not give the CC the absolute right to endorse and nominate candidates," the letter further stressed.
He gave the youth wing until today to meet his demands, which include rescinding the endorsements.
This while Nekongo indicated that SPYL would not entertain Shikomba’s letter.
Undermining us
Approached for comment on Shikomba’s allegations, Nekongo said: “The concerns will not affect my position in any way”.
"I have made it categorically clear that no constitutional obligation has been breached. If he wants to go to court, we will not stop him. This will have no effect on me at all."
Nekongo further said that Shikomba, with his letter, is undermining 52 elected members of the CC who allowed for the decision to be a valid one.
"If this [the withdrawal of the endorsements] is not fulfilled, I will be forced to exercise my right to use the courts to enforce the rights afforded to me by both the SPYL and Namibian Constitution," Shikomba wrote.
To that, Nekongo said the decision to endorse him and his deputy was done democratically and constitutionally.
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