Teso South MP aspirant Denzel Musumba has given ODM an ultimatum to conduct the party primaries in a free and fair manner or else he will decamp to the National Super Alliance affiliated parties.
Speaking at Busia polytechnic during a rally attended by Amani National Congress leader Musalia Mudavadi, Musumba said he is still in ODM as long as he gets an assurance that the party primaries will be free and fair.
“Some ODM officials in the County want to give my opponent from Amukura Division the ODM ticket citing regional balance. They claim the Governor and I come from the same region (Chakol). That misconception already disqualifies me in seeking nomination on an ODM ticket. I may opt for ANC, Wiper, and Ford Kenya or vie as an independent candidate,” Musumba said.
However, Musumba said he will back Sospeter Ojaamong to retain his gubernatorial seat and CORD leader Raila Odinga or anybody nominated to carry the CORD or NASA flag.
ODM Busia County Secretary Innocent Oluku has promised Musumba free, fair and transparent elections. “We are ready to repeat the ODM primaries in Teso South even three times for the sake of getting the most popular candidate to carry the party’s flag at the polls,” he said.
He said it will be foolhardy for the party to endorse a weaker candidate and then struggle to popularize him or her to residents. “If Musumba is popular then why fear to take part in the primaries?” he asked.
Although I have already paid Ksh 250,000 as nomination fee and Ksh20,000 as life membership, I fear my opponent Jeff Omuse will be given the ticket, thus effectively locking me out of contention,” Musumba reiterated.
Musumba said his main objective is to win the elections and rescue the Teso Southerners. “I better lose Ksh270, 000 as long as am in the ballot,” he said.
“I am assuring my ardent fans that I will be in the ballot. I can beat Jeff Omuse and Jeff Osiba,” he said.
The meeting saw candidates who want to stand on ANC ticket declare their intentions. They included Mary Makokha (MP, Butula) and Catherine Omanyo (Matayos), Elizabeth Juma and Susan Mangeni (Women Rep), Monica Mungala (MCA Burumba) and Moses Mamai (MCA, Angurai East).