Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka and Bungoma Senator Moses Wetang’ula do not command as much political popularity as Raila Odinga so they should let him run for president in 2017.
The Luo Council of elders declared on Friday that Raila’s position as Cord’s presidential candidate in 2017 is not negotiable and the two who also want the Cord ticket should rally behind him.
According to the Nation, the elders resolved during a special sitting at Ofafa Memorial Hall in Kisumu on Friday that Raila must run for the presidency next year.
“After thorough deliberations and consultations, we have unanimously resolved that Raila’s name must be on the ballot come next year,” said council chairman Willis Otondi as quoted by the publication.
The elders said their resolution was due to Raila’s “immense popularity across the country compared to Kalonzo and Wetang’ula.
Council secretary-general Owino Nyady said the matter was “not negotiable.”
He added, “We own Raila. Raila does not own us. Therefore our resolution is final. Raila must run for the presidency in 2017.”
According to the council, the ‘Ofafa Memorial Hall Declaration’ would be communicated to Raila with immediate effect.
This development comes at a time when Cord has put in place a new team to oversee its elections.
ODM inaugurated the five-member National Elections Board to oversee primaries planned for February. The elections will be for those seeking the party's ticket to run for all elective positions except the presidency.
The new team includes Judith Pareno who is the chairperson, Robert Arunga as the secretary general. Other members are Edward Nyale, Norah Anindo and Ibrahim Rashid.
The elections board was reconstituted after the disbandment of the previous nine-member team in April.