Funyula MP Paul Otuoma resigns from ODM

Funyula MP Paul Otuoma addressing a rally in Busia Town on January 18, 2017. He has resigned from the Orange Democratic Movement. PHOTO | TONNY OMONDI | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Registrar of Political Parties Lucy Ndung’u on Friday confirmed receiving Dr Otuoma’s resignation letter.
  • The MP said he would not take part in a scheduled re-run of the Busia gubernatorial primaries in Teso North and Teso South constituencies.

Funyula MP Paul Otuoma has resigned from ODM party.

In a letter sent to ODM Secretary-General Agnes Zani and copied to the Registrar of Political Parties, Dr Otuoma asked ODM to remove his name from the party list.

The letter, received by the office of the Registrar of Political Parties on Friday, states in part: “I am a life party member number 000032 having been issued with a life membership certificate. I would wish to resign and withdraw from the party with immediate effect.”

Registrar Lucy Ndung’u on Friday confirmed she had received Dr Otuoma’s resignation letter.

“Yes, it is true, he (Otuoma) has tendered his resignation from ODM party and we have received the letter,” she said.

Dr Otuoma quit the party barely two days after he hinted that he may run for the Busia governorship as ans independent candidate if he did not get the ODM ticket.

'TRIBAL ANGLE'

Addressing supporters in Busia town on Wednesday, the MP said he would not take part in a re-run of the Busia gubernatorial primaries in Teso North and Teso South constituencies earlier scheduled for April 25 by the party's national elections board.

“This whole situation is becoming stale. I have already made the decision. I will run for the governorship seat with or without the ODM certificate. They are trying to introduce a tribal angle which has a long-time effect to our people,” he said.

The MP had petitioned ODM to hand him the nomination certificate “since I was the choice of the people of Busia County.”

ODM Busia County Returning Officer Vitalis Juma had declared Governor Sospeter Ojaamong winner in the primaries with 92,358 votes against Dr Otuoma’s 63,752.

With Dr Otuoma’s resignation from ODM, Mr Ojaamong could now become the party’s automatic candidate for the August 8 polls.