Parliament, Itula differ opposition leader role
Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) leader Dr Panduleni Itula has said there is no law stating that the leader of the official opposition has to be a member of parliament, while the National Assembly - which consulted lawyers last week - insists that this title and parliamentary role is strictly reserved for a sitting member of the house.
Namibian Sun understands that parliamentary officials sought legal advice last week regarding the matter. Itula, as the leader of IPC, contested only for the position of president and will not be serving in parliament. However, since IPC won 20 seats in the November election, becoming the official opposition party, the question of whether Itula should occupy the office of the leader of the opposition has sparked debate.
In 2020, the Office of the Leader of the Official Opposition was formally established, granting the position elevated status in parliament along with several perks, including a pay increase. Whoever holds this office is entitled to a taxpayer-funded car, a bodyguard, a personal assistant, and a driver. They are also provided with an office at the National Assembly, utilities worth N$48,240, a transport allowance of N$94,400, a housing allowance of N$159,222, and a telephone allowance of N$864. Additionally, the occupant is entitled to two vehicles, a sedan and an off-road vehicle, with a monthly fuel cap of 1,080 litres, equivalent to approximately N$14,000 in fuel expenses.
The salary of the outgoing leader of the opposition, McHenry Venaani, was increased from N$693,240 to N$996,006 per year in 2021.
Speaking on Omulunga Radio last week, Itula questioned the legal basis of parliament’s stance and demanded a full explanation rooted in law.
“If the public can tell me in which constitution or law passed in parliament that the leader of the second most popular political party will be the leader of all the opposition parties - where is it written?” he asked.
“There is no law that states that the leader of the official opposition will be the leader of all opposition parties. The leader of the official opposition means a person, not necessarily a member of parliament, but a person who occupies the position of leader of the largest opposition party in parliament.”
Parliament’s position
Parliament insists that the leader of the official opposition must be an elected and gazetted member of parliament. This means the position must be filled by one of the 20 IPC MPs.
Parliament spokesperson Sackey Kadhikwa reaffirmed this stance last week, stating that parliament will only work with individuals officially gazetted by the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN).
“We operate as per the rules and order of parliament. We follow policies and acts that guide us, and it is very clear that to be in parliament, you must be an elected member of your respective political party,” Kadhikwa explained.
“Your name must be gazetted by the electoral commission. That list is forwarded to parliament, and only those individuals can occupy a seat or hold an office in parliament.”
With the swearing-in of the eighth parliament this week, the issue remains unresolved. It remains to be seen whether Itula will continue to push for his claim to the office or whether IPC will nominate one of its elected MPs to assume the role.
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Namibian Sun understands that parliamentary officials sought legal advice last week regarding the matter. Itula, as the leader of IPC, contested only for the position of president and will not be serving in parliament. However, since IPC won 20 seats in the November election, becoming the official opposition party, the question of whether Itula should occupy the office of the leader of the opposition has sparked debate.
In 2020, the Office of the Leader of the Official Opposition was formally established, granting the position elevated status in parliament along with several perks, including a pay increase. Whoever holds this office is entitled to a taxpayer-funded car, a bodyguard, a personal assistant, and a driver. They are also provided with an office at the National Assembly, utilities worth N$48,240, a transport allowance of N$94,400, a housing allowance of N$159,222, and a telephone allowance of N$864. Additionally, the occupant is entitled to two vehicles, a sedan and an off-road vehicle, with a monthly fuel cap of 1,080 litres, equivalent to approximately N$14,000 in fuel expenses.
The salary of the outgoing leader of the opposition, McHenry Venaani, was increased from N$693,240 to N$996,006 per year in 2021.
Speaking on Omulunga Radio last week, Itula questioned the legal basis of parliament’s stance and demanded a full explanation rooted in law.
“If the public can tell me in which constitution or law passed in parliament that the leader of the second most popular political party will be the leader of all the opposition parties - where is it written?” he asked.
“There is no law that states that the leader of the official opposition will be the leader of all opposition parties. The leader of the official opposition means a person, not necessarily a member of parliament, but a person who occupies the position of leader of the largest opposition party in parliament.”
Parliament’s position
Parliament insists that the leader of the official opposition must be an elected and gazetted member of parliament. This means the position must be filled by one of the 20 IPC MPs.
Parliament spokesperson Sackey Kadhikwa reaffirmed this stance last week, stating that parliament will only work with individuals officially gazetted by the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN).
“We operate as per the rules and order of parliament. We follow policies and acts that guide us, and it is very clear that to be in parliament, you must be an elected member of your respective political party,” Kadhikwa explained.
“Your name must be gazetted by the electoral commission. That list is forwarded to parliament, and only those individuals can occupy a seat or hold an office in parliament.”
With the swearing-in of the eighth parliament this week, the issue remains unresolved. It remains to be seen whether Itula will continue to push for his claim to the office or whether IPC will nominate one of its elected MPs to assume the role.
[email protected]
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