Obado to appeal against ouster

Ousted Migori Governor Okoth Obado is on Monday expected to file a petition to challenge the Court of Appeal ruling that nullified his election. PHOTO/TOM OTIENO

What you need to know:

  • He spoke a day after ODM declared that they would clinch the seat following the nullification of his election as governor. He however noted that he was ready to face his opponents at the ballot, should the highest court decline to uphold his victory.
  • Mr Obado won the seat on a People’s Democratic Party (PDP) ticket after ditching ODM following shambolic 2013 party nominations. Mr Magara blamed Mr Obado’s tribulations on “political intolerance” by the ousted governor’s adversaries.
  • County executive members appointed by the Mr Obado will continue to stay in office until a new governor is elected in the coming by-election in Migori County, the Speaker of the county assembly said yesterday.

Ousted Migori Governor Okoth Obado is Monday expected to file a petition to challenge the Court of Appeal ruling that nullified his election.

He yesterday promised to file his case at the Supreme Court and urged residents to remain calm as they wait for the outcome.

“I urge everyone to remain calm and patient as we wait for the verdict of the Supreme Court. After that we shall communicate our plans,” Mr Obado said.

He spoke a day after ODM declared that they would clinch the seat following the nullification of his election as governor. He however noted that he was ready to face his opponents at the ballot, should the highest court decline to uphold his victory.

“We don’t fear anyone. We shall face them and win in the by-elections if the court orders us to hold the polls,” the former governor added.

He told off some political leaders whom he accused of spreading lies and propaganda over the court case and expressed confidence that justice would prevail.

Mr Obado won the seat on a People’s Democratic Party (PDP) ticket after ditching ODM following shambolic 2013 party nominations.

PDP leader Omingo Magara has also vowed to do all it takes to retain the seat.

Mr Magara blamed Mr Obado’s tribulations on “political intolerance” by the ousted governor’s adversaries.

“Those forces fought him even in the nomination process,” he said, adding that he hoped the people of Migori would focus on the bigger picture.

“Mr Obado is a people’s person and I believe he will get back the seat. After all, it is not one’s party but one’s leadership qualities that matter,” the PDP leader said.

MINISTERS SOLDIER ON

ODM, on the other hand, has also declared that it will take the seat from Mr Obado. Prof Anyang’ Nyong’o vowed that the Orange party would be campaigning against PDP—that ditched Cord for the Jubilee Coalition after the 2013 General Election.
ODM’s Edward Oyugi lost to Mr Obado in last year’s polls, but managed to overturn the result in his second attempt in court.

County executive members appointed by the Mr Obado will continue to stay in office until a new governor is elected in the coming by-election in Migori County, the Speaker of the county assembly said yesterday.

Mr Gordon Ogolla directed the ten county executives, commonly referred to as ‘ministers’ to continue discharging their mandate. He said there was no vacuum and county government operations would continue as usual.

Mr Ogolla said his swearing –in as acting county boss could take place after seven days effective the date IEBC declares the Governor seat vacant.

“In the meantime, Mr Obado is still exploring available legal mechanisms since he has that constitutional right,” he said.

The former Governor is seeking to overturn the Court of Appeal ruling at the Supreme Court.

The Speaker who earlier met county assembly members, asked the county residents to remain calm.

A three-judge bench sitting in Kisumu decided last Friday that the tallying errors realized in the election compromised the quality of an election that aspirants and voters in Migori County deserved.

The case originated from a petition filed at the High Court by Mr Obado’s rival, Prof Edward Oyugi of ODM.