Would you like to receive notifications on latest updates of the following headlines?

JUST IN: Namibia elects first female President, Nandi-Ndaitwah

POSTED ON December 4, 2024 •   World      BY Benedicta Bassey
Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has been serving as vice-president since February l Credit: Reuter

NAMIBIA--- 72-year-old Netumbo Nando-Ndaitwah has made history by becoming the first female elect president in Namibia despite a tough election that has sparked controversy and opposition rejection.

The ruling SWAPO party, which has being in power since independence in 1990, was declared victory, with Nandi-Ndaitwah securing 57 percent of the vote.

Her rival,  Panduleni Itula of the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC), secured 25.5 percent vote, according to the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN).

Despite her historic win, the election has been fraught with allegations of irregularities and logistical challenges.

The November 27 polls were marred by technical failures, including malfunctioning electronic voter registration devices and a shortage of ballot papers.

These issues forced voting to be extended twice, with some citizens queuing for up to 12 hours before giving up the process due to frustration at the poll.

Itula said, “There were a multitude of irregularities,” adding that the IPC would “not recognize the outcome of that election” and would pursue legal means to nullify the results.

Election monitors from a regional human rights group also reported intentional delays at voting stations.

The ECN has admitted to organizational shortcomings, acknowledging failures such as ballot paper shortages and overheating of voter registration devices.

However, it reported a high turnout, with 77 percent of the nearly 1.5 million registered voters casting their ballots.

Nandi-Ndaitwah, having being elected would now face the challenge of addressing Namibia’s pressing economic issues.

A leading exporter of uranium and diamonds, the country has struggled to ensure its wealth translates into improved infrastructure and job opportunities.

Youth unemployment remains a critical issue, with the latest figures estimating it at 46 percent.

Nandi-Ndaitwah campaign peg
During her campaign, Nandi-Ndaitwah pledged to “create jobs by attracting investments using economic diplomacy.”

She is a seasoned SWAPO veteran and celebrated for her dedication and commitment to party politics.

AFP

READ ALSO
Tinubu lauds ECOWAS for regional integration, economic progress at golden jubilee
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara April 23, 2025 0

President Bola Tinubu has praised the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) for promoti...

READ ALSO
Trade Wars Take Center Stage at IM ,World Bank Spring Meetings
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara April 22, 2025 0

Global finance leaders are convening in Washington this week for the semi-annual meetings of the Int...

READ ALSO
Tinubu mourns Passing of Pope Francis: A Voice for the Voiceless
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara April 21, 2025 0

President Bola Tinubu has expressed his condolences alongside global leaders over the death of Mario...

READ ALSO
Timeless Legacies: Top 10 ancient civilizations that shaped the modern world
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara April 19, 2025 0

Ancient civilizations laid the foundation for modern society, contributing to everything from govern...

READ ALSO
WTO warns of global trade decline amid U.S. tariffs
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara April 17, 2025 0

The World Trade Organization (WTO) has issued a warning that global trade could decrease this year a...

READ ALSO
Boosting Trade: Tinubu's commitment to regional integration with ECOWAS tariff signing
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara April 15, 2025 0

Reinforcing Nigeria's commitment to expanding regional trade, President Bola Tinubu signed the Econo...

READ ALSO
ECOWAS advocates for unified investment strategies to navigate global economic challenges
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara April 15, 2025 0

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has urged its member nations to enhance their...

READ ALSO
General Brice Secures 90% of Victory in Gabon's Presidential Election
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara April 14, 2025 0

General Brice Oligui Nguema, the military ruler of Gabon, has emerged victorious in Saturday’s...

OUR CHANNELS:

FG commends Ghana for rescuing 219 trafficked Nigerians from cybercrime
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara April 27, 2025 0

ABUJA, Nigeria - The federal government has praised the Ghanaian authorities for rescuing at least 2...


Tinubu meets security chiefs, Calls for swift action against ongoing violence
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara April 27, 2025 0

ABUJA, Nigeria - President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called for an immediate end to the ongoing violence...


FG releases ₦50Bn for university staff unions, A commitment to educational reform
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara April 27, 2025 0

The Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa, announced on Wednesday that the federal govern...


Fani-Kayode criticises Mutfwang's leadership amid security crisis
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara April 27, 2025 0

PLATEAU, Nigeria - Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, and former Aviation Minister, Femi Fani-K...


Father demands justice as Nigerian correctional service dismisses kidnapping allegations
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara April 27, 2025 0

PORT HARCOURT, Nigeria - Ogunsinasi Oluwaseyi, the father of 12-year-old Oluwaseyi Favour, who was r...


Ogun shuts  four companies for environmental violations
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara April 27, 2025 0

OGUN, Nigeria (NAN) - The Ogun state government, via its Environmental Protection Agency (OGEPA), ha...


IMF urges Nigeria to exercise fiscal caution amid economic reforms
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara April 27, 2025 0

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has called on Nigeria to exercise caution in its expenditures...


FG urges IMF, World Bank to bolster economic reforms in sub-saharan Africa
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara April 24, 2025 0

Finance Minister Wale Edun has emphasized the need for increased global assistance to reform economi...


LASG short 66,000 healthcare practitioners, threat to quality services delivery
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara April 27, 2025 0

LAGOS, Nigeria - The Lagos State Government is grappling with a significant shortage of medical prac...


Pope Francis to be buried April 26
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara April 27, 2025 0

Pope Francis’s funeral will be held on Saturday, the Vatican announced Tuesday, as world leade...


More Articles

Load more...

Menu