- The MP made an about-turn and hinted he was still in ODM.
- He said he was prepared to face whoever intends to vie for Teso South MP seat on ODM party ticket during party nominations.
Image: EMOJONG OSERE
The battle for the ODM ticket in Teso South is on after MP Geoffrey Omuse rescinded his decision to leave the Orange party.
The first-time lawmaker, going by remarks he made on Saturday during an interview with a local FM station, may face Governor Sospeter Ojaamong during the ODM nominations. The county chief is eyeing the Teso South MP seat.
Omuse had in August last year declared he would not seek re-election on the ODM party ticket. He had alleged that there were plans to rig him out during party primaries.
But on Saturday, the MP made an about-turn and hinted he was still in ODM.
He said he was prepared to face whoever is interested in contesting for the Teso South MP seat on the Orange party ticket, including the governor.
“I'm prepared to go to nominations with whoever will want to vie for MP seat on the ODM ticket, including my brother Sospeter Ojaamong,” Omuse said.
“I don’t have any problem with him, although he continues to abuse me in public.”
The two are the only ones who have shown interest in going to the ballot for the Teso South MP seat using the ODM ticket.
Last year, when the MP said he had notified party leader Raila Odinga about his move, Ojaamong had told him to remain in the party and face him if he was “man enough”.
The lawmaker’s decision to quit ODM, Ojaamong had said, was an act of cowardice.
The governor asked the MP to test his popularity in the constituency by going to the nominations with him.
Omuse said his decision to jump out of ODM did not mean he feared Ojaamong.
“It is not that I fear my brother Ojaamong, but I have said let him remain in ODM. I will be defending my seat, but not on the ODM party ticket,” Omuse said then while meeting Catholic faithful in Kidera.
“Let Ojaamong get the ODM party certificate as [former MP Mary] Emase receives the UDA certificate. Let them meet me in the campaign field. I can assure you I will defeat both Ojaamong and Emase.”
But Ojaamong in what appeared to be an extension of an olive branch to the MP responded saying he would support any ODM candidate who will emerge as winner during ODM party primaries, including Omuse.
“As an Orange Democratic Movement life member, I will unequivocally support any person who will emerge victorious at the party primaries,” the governor said.
“ODM is a big house. Those who will not be able to clinch party positions will get other things at the national level. I have no reason whatsoever to force an individual through the party primaries.”
RETIRE FROM POLITICS
Omuse, despite declaring he was prepared to face Ojaamong at the ballot, joined Emase in calling on Ojaamong to retire from active politics.
The MP said the governor has been active in politics for over two decades and should thus pave the way for young people to take charge of the politics of Teso South and Busia county.
“My only problem with Ojaamong is that he has led us for the last 20 years. He led us as Amagoro MP for 10 years before he was elected governor and he is almost completing 10 years in that seat,” the MP said.
“Ojaamong is leading the county and my problem with him is that he is now seeing that the biggest position he can take up after serving as governor is the MP seat.”
Ojaamong has on several occasions said he is too young to retire from politics.
He told residents of Teso South subcounty that he will return to them and ask for votes because he may vie for a political seat after the expiry of his term as governor.
Constitutionally, Ojaamong is at liberty to vie for the post of president, senator, MP or MCA in this year’s polls.
Edited by A.N