Battle for UDF control heads to parties tribunal as rivals dig in

The battle for control of a party associated with former deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi is headed to the Political Parties Dispute Tribunal as each of the rival camps spoils for a fight.

United Democratic Forum (UDF) members who spoke to Sunday Nation said Mr Mudavadi has called a National Executive Council meeting on Wednesday to start disciplinary action against chairman Hassan Osman who is accused of indiscipline.

“NEC meets on Wednesday so we can formalise the process of removing Mr Osman as the party chairman and effectively as a member,” Lugari MP Ayub Savula said.

He said it is at the meeting that a decision would be taken to register their complaints with the Tribunal as they seek to remove Mr Osman from the National Assembly.

He is the only nominated MP on a UDF ticket.

“We are prepared to go (the) whole hog to ensure those who do not toe the line are kicked out. You cannot rock the boat from within and want us to cheer you up,” he said

But Mr Osman says any such meeting would be illegal because he is the one mandated by the party constitution to call meetings.

CHANGES IN MEMBERSHIP

The meeting will also ratify changes proposed in the NEC membership that includes some members of the county assembly.

Mr Osman is accused of refusing to sign a resolution of a meeting held on September 1 stating that among other things proposed, UDF withdraws from the Jubilee coalition.

He defends himself, saying doing so would have amounted to an illegality.

“Such changes can only be effected at a NEC meeting which we have not convened,” he said.

The resolution, a copy of which the Sunday Nation has, shows that only Mr Mudavadi signed the document with those who attended saying the party leader’s supporters almost descended on Mr Osman with blows for refusing to obey the order.

Mr Osman says he is not cowed and will defend himself before the Tribunal or even move to court where necessary to retain his seat.

A list of proposed new officials sent to Registrar of Political Parties Lucy Ndung’u by UDF deputy party leader Jeremiah Kioni names Mr Kassim Sawa as the replacement for Mr Osman.

Former Shinyalu MP Justus Kizito is also listed as the secretary-general in place of Abraham Limo. However, nominated Senator Martha Wangari has been retained as treasurer.

“Mr Mudavadi is a ceremonial official in our party as far as we are concerned. His purported position of party leader doesn’t exist anywhere in our constitution and we never submitted any returns recognizing the holder of such a position to the registrar of political parties’ Desk,” Mr Limo said.

Mr Mudavadi suffered a blow after Ms Ndung’u declined his request to have the party name changed to Amani National Congress.

In her response to his request, the registrar said the name has already been booked by another person.