Midiwo threatens to defect from ODM; 30.04.2017

By NELCON ODHIAMBO
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Gem MP Jakoyo Midiwo gestures during a past event. He has threatened to quit ODM. PHOTO | TONNY OMONDI | NATION MEDIA GROUP 

 Summary

• Mr Midiwo attributed his defeat to Elisha Odhiambo on underhand deals by Oburu Oginga who also lost his parliamentary bid to Bondo MP Gideon Ochanda.
• In the just concluded ODM nominations Mr Gumbo also lost the governorship certificate to incumbent Cornel Rasanga while Mrs Aluodo was beaten by Dr Christine Ombaka, the incumbent.

Gem MP Jakoyo Midiwo has threatened to defects from Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) should the party fail to give him a nomination certificate.

He will via as an independent candidate should he be denied the certificate by Monday, he has waned.

Mr Midiwo attributed his defeat to Elisha Odhiambo on underhand deals by Oburu Oginga who also lost his parliamentary bid to Bondo MP Gideon Ochanda.

Whereas the party ticket was already awarded to Mr Odhiambo, Mr Midiwo insists that it be given to him claiming that he won.

“I won the ODM certificate for Gem constituency, ODM party should do the right thing and hand me the certificate,” said Mr Midiwo during a political visit to Ndori market.

DEMANDS

Accompanied by his counterparts Dr Ochanda, Nicholas Gumbo (Rarieda) and Mrs Florence Aluodo (Woman Representative aspirant), all assured their supporters that their names will be on the ballot papers should ODMs’ National Elections Board fail to adhere to their demands.

In the just concluded ODM nominations Mr Gumbo also lost the governorship certificate to incumbent Cornel Rasanga while Mrs Aluodo was beaten by Dr Christine Ombaka, the incumbent.

The leaders still insisted that the party nomination results were highly manipulated in favour of their competitors and would not watch other people receive their certificates.

“The party is hell bent on awarding our competitors, they doctored the results in their favour and expect us to watch them hand them the nomination certificates, we will not allow that to happen,” said Mr Midiwo.

Mr Midiwo also vowed to ensure that Mr Gumbo becomes the next governor and save the county’s resources from “the hands of the corrupt Governor Rasanga”.

NEXT GOVERNOR

He said that he believes in the leadership of Mr Gumbo after seeing his potential in the 10 years he has been MP for Rarieda and asked the Siaya electorate to elect him as their next governor.

“I would rather not become Gem MP because the Gem people do not believe in me but not because Dr Oburu has said so. I will also ensure that Gumbo becomes the next governor and will use all my resources to ensure that this happens,” said Mr Midiwo.

Mr Gumbo said that he does not intend plead with the party or file a petition to the board to hand him the party certificate insisting that he would route for another option.

The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) chairman said that it was unfair for the party to uphold the results of the recent party nominations despite numerous complaints from participants on its credibility before the exercise.

“The entire ODM nomination exercise in Siaya was a sham; it is sad that the party that has been in the forefront condemning IEBC for conducting unfair elections is doing what it has been criticizing, I know I won the elections,” said Mr Gumbo.

The leaders also welcomed the recent announcement by National Super Alliance (Nasa) that ODM leader Raila Odinga was its presidential candidate saying that they will give him their support but insisted that the electorate should be left to decide their leaders in other elective seats.