Paul Otuoma quits ODM post as Fred Gumo warns of party split

Funyula MP Paul Otuoma has resigned as the ODM national vice chairman while secretary general Ababu Namwamba threatened to follow suit if issues he has raised in the party are not addressed.

Dr Otuoma accused the party rank and file of trivialising their complaints.

“Party leaders from western region raised concerns on how the party is being run but as we speak, this matter has now been turned to personalities and internal party wars. As a democratic ODM member, I don’t want to be part of any party confusion,” said Mr Otuoma

“We are the founders of ODM party and we are going nowhere. I am and will always remain an ODM member,” declared Mr Otuoma.

“I will officially give the party my resignation letter to the secretary general.”

Mr Namwamba also threatened to resign if the party will fail to address the issues they had raised.

He said various changes that have been made in the party have weakened the position of the secretary general and called for quick reorganisation of the ODM structure.

“I cannot remain to be a general with a gun that lacks bullets. It is time I am given bullets or the owner of the gun takes it away all together,” said Mr Namwamba.

“You wanted a party secretary general with powers not one who speaks today and others contradict his position. I am the party spokesperson,” he said.

The two also threatened to dump ODM if leaders from the western region continue to be sidelined.

“Whenever we speak with people, we are told we have been bought yet the same people meet those they don’t want us to meet at night,” he said.

He said he was labelled a traitor by Luhya community for his failure to support Musalia Mudavadi in 2013 and wondered why he is now being labelled a mole.

He warned unnamed ODM leaders of behaving as if they own the party saying he is a founder member.

“I have invested in this party and moved from Changara to Osieko, popularizing the party everywhere. I supported all ODM aspirants from governor to MCA and now I have become an enemy,” he said.

They were speaking Saturday at Bukalama Resort in Matayos near Busia town when they met ODM delegates from the county.

PARTY SPLIT FEARS

Former Westlands MP Fred Gumo urged ODM party leader Raila Odinga to reconstruct his team to avoid a party split.

He called on to the former prime minister to also tame leaders surrounding him saying they are creating division and anarchy in the party.

“When we formed ODM, It was a party with respected structures. Our ODM was democratic unlike now. Despite the fact that we have stood with this party since 2005, we are treated as outsiders,” said Mr Gumo

But there those who think that the Otuoma-Namwamba ODM disenchantment is largely attributable to their ambitions in Busia politics, especially the battle for governorship.

It also noteworthy that Dr Otuoma has declared that he will seek to oust Governor Sospeter Ojaamong, an ally of ODM leader Raila Odinga.

Dr Otuoma’s critics say his decision is informed by the fear that it may be difficult for him to wrestle the ODM ticket from Mr Ojaamong who is believed to be Mr Odinga’s favoured candidate.

Mr Odinga and Mr Ojaamong share a long political bond dating to the NDP days where the governor was secretary general.

He is, therefore, preparing the way to an alternative party on whose ticket he will wage battle against the governor.

Mr Ojaamong has challenged Mr Namwamba to face him at the ballot instead of sponsoring candidates for the governorship and has offered to pay his nomination fees.

(Editing by Joel Muinde)