Staff Reporter
THE Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) political party today launched its inaugural two-day national elective conference, where its National Assembly list will be voted for. The conference has started with a total of 112 candidates competing for National Assembly seats, gathering at the Mercure Hotel for their first elective conference.
IPC party President, Dr Panduleni Itula, said that this is the very first IPC national convention for parliamentary candidates and that these will be the people who will represent IPC in the 8th Parliament.
“Patriots, may I take this opportunity as President of IPC to welcome everyone in attendance, including special guests and assessors who will assist us in choosing the best candidates… We have gone into areas called ‘no-go areas’. This is evidence of the power, strength, and maturity of our democracy. That is why this is not only an elective convention but a bloodless revolution. We shall triumph on the 27th of November… The power to govern is delegated by the people and belongs to the people; it is delegated to you as potential parliamentarians. Through democratic elections, it is the people who remove those who betrayed their trust and hopes, and hand it over in a peaceful transition. The power to govern is not for you to hold, but it is entrusted to you by the people of Namibia. The Namibian people, all over this country I travelled, are overwhelmingly ready to hand over power to IPC: every single child, ethnic group, and veteran,” Dr Itula said, speaking at the elective convention.
He added that Namibians have the right to choose a political party of their choice to make laws over them, without bribery, coercion, corruption, or empty promises, as they have seen in the last 34 years of riches that have never arrived.
“Honesty during our campaign cannot be overemphasised; we aspiring leaders have a moral, religious, and political duty to ensure the dignity of our people. Do not promise what you cannot deliver,” Itula said.
He further explained that his name will not appear on the party’s parliamentary list for the upcoming elections.
Dr Itula explained that this decision is in line with his interpretation of the Namibian Constitution, which he said prohibits a candidate from running for both the presidency and a parliamentary seat simultaneously. The IPC’s elective conference will select 96 members for Parliament, and the party will launch its manifesto this Saturday.
