Fierce nomination race on cards

A FIERCE nomination race is expected as the Swapo Party prepares for life without its veteran leader, Sam Nujoma.

Nujoma will be stepping down when the party congress starts tomorrow but only his successor Hifikepunye Pohamba is sure about his position as the party faithful exercise their right to elect new leaders. The most serious challenge is that of Lands Minister Jerry Ekandjo to former Prime Minister Hage Geingob for the Swapo vice presidency.Geingob was the Politburo’s sole nominee for the position but a more than one Swapo source has confirmed that Ekandjo’s name will be put forward when elections start at the congress.If that scenario remains on track, it will split the vote of the so-called ‘Omusati clique’, as some well-known members of that group in the party support Geingob as the candidate.”A challenge on Geingob will be good for democracy.He has always been wheelchaired into positions.Some people in the party feel positions were always given to him instead of him being elected.So a challenge from Jerry or any other person will be good to prove the will of the people,” said one Swapo insider.OMUSATI TENSIONS A section of the party have never regarded Geingob as belonging to the inner circle of the party.”If he wins through elections, he will use the mandate to do things.But it will be tough against Ekandjo,” said one party member.Ekandjo’s prominence in Swapo is “unquestionable”, according to sources.”He is always in the top positions when elections for the Central Committee or Politburo take place.That is no fluke,” said one.The sources said relations among those in the ‘Omusati clique’ were “very tense”.”It is difficult to tell how it will go at the congress.We hope this thing is sorted at the Central Committee.Otherwise it might become ugly,” said another.Outgoing Swapo leader Nujoma had always swung votes, almost single-handedly.However, some sources have downplayed his influence on the upcoming congress, claiming that it was dwindling because he was leaving office.It is an open secret that Nujoma prefers Pohamba and Geingob as President and Vice President of the ruling party.FACE-OFFS It is not only Geingob who faces fierce rivalry.Current Secretary General Dr Ngarikutuke Tjiriange is up against his deputy, John Pandeni, and Justice Minister Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana.Ithana is being groomed to take over as Geingob’s deputy when Pohamba leaves office and, sources said, her supporters have launched an all-out campaign.”Dr Tjiriange won’t survive.Of that we are almost sure.The race will be very close between Ithana and Pandeni.However, we hope that one of them [Ithana or Pandeni] will withdraw to make the race easier for the other,” said one source.Information Minister Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah faces a tough race against Education Minister Nangolo Mbumba for the position of Deputy Secretary General.Victories for Geingob, Ithana and Mbumba will mean that Nujoma will once again be a winner.The most serious challenge is that of Lands Minister Jerry Ekandjo to former Prime Minister Hage Geingob for the Swapo vice presidency.Geingob was the Politburo’s sole nominee for the position but a more than one Swapo source has confirmed that Ekandjo’s name will be put forward when elections start at the congress.If that scenario remains on track, it will split the vote of the so-called ‘Omusati clique’, as some well-known members of that group in the party support Geingob as the candidate.”A challenge on Geingob will be good for democracy.He has always been wheelchaired into positions.Some people in the party feel positions were always given to him instead of him being elected.So a challenge from Jerry or any other person will be good to prove the will of the people,” said one Swapo insider. OMUSATI TENSIONS A section of the party have never regarded Geingob as belonging to the inner circle of the party.”If he wins through elections, he will use the mandate to do things.But it will be tough against Ekandjo,” said one party member.Ekandjo’s prominence in Swapo is “unquestionable”, according to sources.”He is always in the top positions when elections for the Central Committee or Politburo take place.That is no fluke,” said one.The sources said relations among those in the ‘Omusati clique’ were “very tense”.”It is difficult to tell how it will go at the congress.We hope this thing is sorted at the Central Committee.Otherwise it might become ugly,” said another.Outgoing Swapo leader Nujoma had always swung votes, almost single-handedly.However, some sources have downplayed his influence on the upcoming congress, claiming that it was dwindling because he was leaving office.It is an open secret that Nujoma prefers Pohamba and Geingob as President and Vice President of the ruling party.FACE-OFFS It is not only Geingob who faces fierce rivalry.Current Secretary General Dr Ngarikutuke Tjiriange is up against his deputy, John Pandeni, and Justice Minister Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana.Ithana is being groomed to take over as Geingob’s deputy when Pohamba leaves office and, sources said, her supporters have launched an all-out campaign.”Dr Tjiriange won’t survive.Of that we are almost sure.The race will be very close between Ithana and Pandeni.However, we hope that one of them [Ithana or Pandeni] will withdraw to make the race easier for the other,” said one source.Information Minister Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah faces a tough race against Education Minister Nangolo Mbumba for the position of Deputy Secretary General.Victories for Geingob, Ithana and Mbumba will mean that Nujoma will once again be a winner.