Windhoek: The Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) has raised concern over what it characterises as an increasing centralisation of power within the Executive, cautioning that the trend risks eroding Namibia's democratic foundations and weakening regional governance structures.
According to Namibia Press Agency, in a statement issued on Tuesday, the party's secretary general, Manuel Ngaringombe, criticised what he described as a growing shift of developmental responsibilities from elected regional councils to appointed regional governors. Ngaringombe pointed to recent infrastructure initiatives, including the construction of sports facilities across various constituencies, as examples of what his party sees as a concerning governance trajectory. The PDM argues that such capital projects fall squarely within the statutory mandate of regional councils, yet are increasingly being implemented through governors.
Ngaringombe stated, 'This creates a situation where appointed officials effectively exercise authority over elected representatives, undermining democratic accountability and weakening the principle of decentralisation.' He emphasised that regional councils were established to ensure that development planning is responsive to the needs and priorities of local communities, arguing that bypassing these structures diminishes the voice of the electorate.
Ngaringombe added that governors were not envisaged as implementing authorities within Namibia's governance architecture, and that elevating them to that role risks distorting institutional checks and balances, while creating scope for expanded discretionary decision-making in resource allocation. The PDM reiterated its position that public authority must derive from the will of the people, maintaining that regional development powers should remain vested in democratically elected representatives.
The party also situated the issue within what it termed a broader pattern of power consolidation at the level of the presidency. It expressed concern over emerging policy and legislative developments in the petroleum sector, where, it said, there is growing unease about the extent of discretionary authority that may be concentrated within the Executive. As Namibia advances its oil and gas ambitions, Ngaringombe called for governance anchored in transparency, accountability, and robust institutional oversight.