NUDO Secretary General Joseph Kauandenge has withdrawn from the presidential race due to what he termed infighting within the party.

Kauandenge says more time is spent quelling internal fights instead of advancing the party, something that he says will bring down the party if not stopped.

The party, he further says, is navigating without a constitution.

"Sadly, this debacle has infested the internal political atmosphere within NUDO. NUDO is contaminated with these squabbles, and it is like cancer eating and feeding on the soul of the party. The soul of the party is at stake, and the stakes are high. The current prevailing situation is in total conflict with my principles as a nationalist. A pragmatic being, a free-spirited soul whose only preoccupation is and has been to have capable, tested, and people-centred people to lead the NUDO party. Should we fail to change course, we are going to have the same problem, or even worse, our internal situation will become toxic."

Despite not running for any other position within the party, the Secretary-General said he would remain a loyal member.

"I have decided that I will not seek or run for the party presidency position at our upcoming congress in July this year, and neither will I run for any other position at the congress as well. I simply cannot function properly under this duress, under the current cloud of uncertainty and political bickering that has its foundation squarely at the feet of the fights within the OTA."

NUDO President Utjiua Muinjangue recently indicated that she too will not run for a second term as the party's president.

NUDO is expected to have its congress from July 12 to 14 in Windhoek.

The party has yet to endorse presidential candidates.