- A section of ODM members are questioning the legitimacy of the swearing in of Oburu Oginga as party leader during the party’s anniversary event in Mombasa
- Critics say that only the National Conference of Delegates can fill the leadership vacancy and that the appointment of Oburu and NGC is against the party’s constitution
- Caleb Amisi warned that the nomination certificates signed by Oburu could be challenged in court and questioned why the party’s deputy leaders were excluded
- Winnie Odinga earlier called for a return to the delegates to decide the next leader of ODM
A new tension has emerged in ODM after a group of leaders questioned the legitimacy of the election and swearing in of Oburu Oginga as party leader.
Source: UGC
Oburu, the Siaya senator, was suspended on Thursday, November 13, but some leaders now say the move did not follow the party’s constitution.
They insist that the decision should have been made by the National Conference of Delegates, not the National Leadership Council.
Was Oburu legally elected ODM leader?
Section 6.6.2 (b) of the ODM Constitution states that a special session of the National Assembly of Members must be called to elect a new leader of the party whenever the position becomes vacant through death, resignation, removal from membership or inability to perform duties.
Saboti MP Caleb Amisi echoed the sentiment, saying Oburu’s position is open to legal challenge.
“In fact, if your nomination certificate is signed by Oburu, it can be challenged in court because the constitution is clear that the new leader of the party must be elected through the NDC,” he said.
Amisi questioned why the three deputy leaders of the ODM party were ignored, noting that they have been ordered to act in the absence of the party leader.
“Why do we have deputy party leaders who cannot intervene as needed? Even in the Constitution of Kenya, when the president is absent for any reason, the deputy takes over for that period,” he said.
Winnie Odinga he said about the election of Oburu as party leader
His words followed Winnie Odinga’s comments during the party’s 20th anniversary celebrations in Mombasa.
Winnie also called on the NDC to determine the future leadership of the party.
“We need to go back to the people and do the NDC to see who they want to take that seat,” he said.
Oburu dismissed the concerns, saying the disagreement with Winnie would be resolved locally at the family level.
ODM national chairman and Homa Bay governor Gladys Wanga he defended the process, noting that the NGC is empowered to take such steps.
“The NGC is the executive branch of the NDC. Convening the NDC is a big exercise. Now that the NGC has approved these officers, we are officially in office,” he said.
Wanga added that internal discussions should not be mistaken for division, saying it shows the political culture that is open within the party.
Raila Odingawho led ODM for many years, died while receiving treatment in India.
After his death, Oburu was unanimously elected as the interim leader of the party before being officially sworn in during a ceremony in Mombasa.
Source: Facebook
Who are the current ODM leaders?
In a related event, the NGC confirmed a series of positions within the party’s executive committee.
The deputy leader of the party remained with Abdulswamad Nassir, Simba Arati and Godfrey Osotsi.
Wanga retained his position as national chairman, while Edwin Sifuna remaining as secretary general.
Otiende Amollo and Ariko Namoit continued as vice-chairmen, while Ruth Odinga remained deputy organizing secretary.
Rosa Buyu also retained her position as secretary of political affairs while the entire team was reconfirmed by NGC.
Read ENGLISH VERSION
Do you have an exciting story that you would like us to publish? Please contact us via news@tuko.co.ke or WhatsApp: 0732482690.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
