Opposition lost to itself – PDM

Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) Erongo regional coordinator Roger Nautoro says opposition parties only have themselves to blame for their poor election performance.

He said this following the announcement of premilinary and official results by the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) showing the dominance of Swapo across the country.

“The truth is simple and must be acknowledged without hesitation: The opposition did not lose to Swapo; the opposition lost to itself,” Nautoro says in a statement.

The recently concluded elections in the Erongo region, he says, present an opportunity for sober reflection and honest assessment.

He says the outcome does not signify a strengthened mandate for the Swapo Party, but rather exposes weakness within the broader opposition landscape.

Nautoro says persistent fragmentation, competing ambitions, and a lack of collective strategic discipline among opposition leaders have created conditions that undermined our shared objectives.

“As the PDM, we took deliberate steps to encourage unity and coherence. We engaged our colleagues with a proposal grounded in fairness and principle, advocating for a coordinated approach in which only one candidate would stand per constituency based on a mutually agreed give and take philosophy,” he says.

“Regrettably, some of its partners elected to advance their own individual agendas and field additional candidates, thereby diluting the vote and producing the outcome we now confront.

“We must resist this temptation and now begin the process of strategically positioning ourselves for improved performance in the 2029 National Elections and the 2030 Local Authority Elections,” he says.

Nautoro believes a united opposition that speaks with one voice, anchored in principled cooperation and a shared developmental vision, will not only perform better but will inspire renewed confidence among the electorate.

“Our people are yearning for leadership that places national interest above personal ambition, and it is our responsibility to demonstrate that maturity,” he says.

Nautoro urges all opposition leaders to set aside narrow interests and embrace the spirit of unity, responsibility, and national duty.

Only through collaboration, mutual respect, and a commitment can parties build a future in which every Namibian feels represented, valued, and hopeful, he says.

In an age of information overload, Sunrise is The Namibian’s morning briefing, delivered at 6h00 from Monday to Friday. It offers a curated rundown of the most important stories from the past 24 hours – occasionally with a light, witty touch. It’s an essential way to stay informed. Subscribe and join our newsletter community.