Renthia Kaimbi
Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) president Panduleni Itula has called on Parliament to consider a vote of no confidence against President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah.
He made the call at a press conference held in Windhoek yesterday.
The demand follows the tabling of the Petroleum (Exploration and Production) Amendment Bill of 2025, which proposes shifting control of Namibia’s upstream oil sector to the Presidency.
“Given the numerous nature in which our inaugurated president continues to conduct herself, it’s perhaps time that parliament considers a vote of no confidence in Her Excellency Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah,” Itula said.
The bill seeks to transfer key upstream petroleum powers from the responsible minister to the President. It also proposes the creation of an Upstream Petroleum Unit within the office of the president.
The unit would regulate, license, and manage petroleum activities. Its director general would be appointed by the President and serve under her direction.
IPC rejected the bill, describing it as a consolidation of power.
“We, the majority in the minority of elected people, have a duty to ensure we stop it. And we stop it right at this inception. And we don’t stop it because it’s an emotional stoppage; we stop it with reasoning,” Itula said.
He said the party had examined the bill and the President’s actions and warned of the “creeping in” of authoritarianism.
“We apply our minds to these laws, and we have examined the Petroleum Act and also examined the actions of Her Excellency the President as to her intentions earlier on what we advised her is not constitutional,” Itula said.
While the IPC supports Namibia becoming an oil-producing nation, Itula said the party would use democratic processes to challenge the bill.
“Let us be unequivocal; the IPC supports Namibia becoming a petroleum-producing nation. The Venus and Mopane discoveries present generational opportunities. We want first oil to flow; what we do not want is for first oil to become the first oil-related scandal,” he said.
IPC objects to the transfer of upstream regulatory and fiscal powers, including authority over royalties and licensing, from a minister to the President.
The party said placing the Upstream Petroleum Unit under the office of the president weakens constitutional checks and parliamentary oversight.
“This is not a minor administrative adjustment. It is a deliberate relocation of upstream petroleum governance into one political office, weakening institutional checks and parliamentary oversight,” the party said.
Itula said the timing of the bill is critical, with final investment decisions for major oil projects expected as early as late 2026.
He said Namibia has limited time to put in place governance systems that will determine whether oil benefits the country.
Parliament can hold ministers accountable, he argued, while presidential appointees receive less scrutiny.
“The bill before this nation is not a neutral administrative rearrangement,” Itula said.
He described it as a “governance redesign with predictable consequences”, which he said “introduces authoritarianism into our constitutional democracy”.
The IPC has urged lawmakers from all parties to reject the bill in full and uphold their constitutional duties.
During the official opening of Parliament earlier this month, Nandi-Ndaitwah urged the National Assembly to urgently consider amendments to laws on the country’s resources.
Opposition members reacted with sceptical cheers.
When the minister of industries, mines and energy Modestus Amutse retabled the bill in the House, he said its purpose was to update the 1991 Petroleum Act, strengthen institutions, clarify regulations, and align Namibia’s oil sector management with global standards. Amuste had said the bill would still ensure transparency and accountability to Parliament and the public.
