ODM gubernatorial aspirants could cost Odinga presidency MP

Ugunja MP James Opiyo Wandayi has expressed fears that the intense jostling for gubernatorial positions in Luo Nyanza may jeopardize CORD leader Raila Odinga’s chances of winning in 2017 General Election.

Wandayi lamented that the intense clamour for the gubernatorial seats in Luo Nyanza counties including Siaya, Kisumu, Homa/Bay and Migori is detrimental to the party’s bid to form the next government, adding that some aspirants should compromise their ambitions for the sake of the party.

“This clamour is likely to jeopardise our competitiveness,” he said.

Wandayi, who was speaking at Sigomere Small Home in his Ugunja Constituency, stated that the contenders must now start discussions to see how the post can be peacefully distributed through a negotiated democracy because an individual’s gubernatorial ambition cannot supersede the communal interest to clinch presidency.

“The time has come for us to ask ourselves if this internal fighting in ODM will stand in the way of Raila Odinga clinching the presidency,” he said.

The legislator stated that as a party they would not tolerate any form of violence perpetuated by aspirants seeking to clinch any elective positions.

Wandayi, who is also the ODM secretary for political affairs, warned that the party would take severe disciplinary actions against those instigating violence.

He reiterated that they will not tolerate any form of violence, noting for instance that the violence recently witnessed between Homa/Bay Town MP Opondo Kaluma and politician Washington Oganga in Homa/Bay County was not good for Mr Odinga’s presidential ambition.

“As a party we cannot condone any kind of violence regardless of the perpetrator of the violence… We want to go to the election when our mage is positive,” he said.