Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) president Panduleni Itula says his call for president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah to consider dissolving parliament, forming a government of national unity or backing a vote of no confidence in the speaker is grounded in the Constitution and the need for effective governance.
In February, Nandi-Ndaitwah criticised parliament for its slow pace of lawmaking, urging lawmakers to stop political point-scoring and prioritise national legislation.
Itula on Sunday said Article 57 of the Constitution places a duty on the president to ensure effective governance by upholding, protecting and defending the Constitution.
His clarification follows criticism from opposition parties that rejected his proposal to dissolve parliament last week.
Itula also dismissed any claims of divisions within the IPC.
He argued that parliament’s prolonged deadlock has become a governance crisis rather than an ordinary political disagreement.
His remarks come as the eighth parliament marks 16 months without passing a single ordinary government bill into law, although the budget bill and the mental health bill have progressed.
Several key government bills remain before parliament.
“Parliament exists to make laws, scrutinise the executive and represent the people,” Itula said.
He warned that continued legislative delays undermine governance, postpone reforms, create uncertainty for investors and erode public confidence in democratic institutions.
Itula said Namibia has entered a new political era in which no party enjoys overwhelming parliamentary dominance, making negotiation, compromise and consensus essential for parliament to function effectively.
He said the opposition has a constitutional responsibility to ensure parliament fulfils its mandate, urging all political parties to work together to end the legislative impasse before the current parliamentary term expires.
Party member Abed Hishoono supports Itula, saying: “I speak the same language with my president.”
