Ojaamong Ditch ODM for UDA

Teso,

Friday, December 15, 2023

KNA by Absalom Namwalo

Former Busia governor Sospeter Odeke Ojaamong has ditched ODM for the ruling party UDA as he announced plans to work with President William Ruto.

Speaking at Amukura in Teso South Sub County, Ojaamong came out publicly for the first time to denounce his association with ODM as he urged the Iteso community to work with the government of the day for the development of the community.

The former governor advised the residents not to be deceived by leaders pursuing their selfish interests at the expense of locals.

“It would be stupid for someone to come and deceive the Iteso community to join the opposition for another 10 years. President Ruto will finish his term in office, that one I am 100 percent sure,” said Ojaamong.

The former governor who joined active politics in 1992 as a member of parliament for Amagoro, has worked with Raila from 2002 to date.

Ojaamong joining UDA will change the dynamics of politics in Busia as he plans for a comeback after he lost his aspiration to regain the parliamentary seat to Hon. Mary Emase in the 2022 general election.

His decamp from ODM comes two months after former women rep Florence Mutua also ditched ODM for UDA.

Ojaamong who was accompanied by the Principal Administrative Secretary in the office of President Arthur Osia now plans to unite the Iteso community in what is seen as reshaping the leadership ahead of the 2027 election.

“We must unite the Iteso community in a manner that will boost our bargaining power in the government,” added Ojaamong.

The former governor has urged ODM leader Raila Odinga to accept the fate and mentor someone to take over from him.

“It will be wise for Raila to accept the fate right now, I advise him to mentor another vibrant leader to take over from him,” he narrated.

“I want to be part of change by helping UDA leadership in grassroots member registration come next year,” added Ojaamong.

His move comes as a big blow to the ODM family as he has been Raila’s contact person in Busia for a long time now.

“I want to work with president Ruto from today. It will be shameful for me to continue living in denial yet I know he has 10 years in office as president,” Ojaamong told residents.

His sentiments received a lot of praise from PS Osia who also urged the communities in Busia to back the government for economic transformation and development.

For the past one year, Osia has been vibrant in advocating for the community working with the government which has raised a lot of questions about his aspirations for politics shortly.

Courtesy; KNA