WATCH THE EYE LEVEL: The Ochillo Ayacko (L) and Governor Okoth Obado (R) handshake as ODM leader Raila Odinga (C) looks on
Migori governor Okoth Obado has said he won’t be intimidated to support former Cabinet Minister Ochillo Ayacko who was handpicked to be ODM flag bearer in October 8 senator by-elections.
In an interview with Migori News, Obado said he respects ODM party leader Raila Odinga and the party, but as a voter he will support former Rongo MP Dalmas Otieno who be an independent candidate.
Obado told off his rivals who are using his stance as a sign of disrespect to Odinga and the party.
The governor said the same ODM leaders attacking him for going against the party ignored him despite being ODM candidate on August 8 and supported an independent candidate Ochillo Ayacko.
READ ALSO: All Migori ODM leaders, officials should support Ayacko for senator- Junet, Wandayi
“Despite winning governor ODM ticket on August 8, the same leaders who have been claiming I am against the party and my leader Raila Odinga openly de-campaigned me, no finger was raised against them. i wont be intimidated,” Obado said.
He said leaders claiming to be senior most members of ODM and closest to Raila in Migori county, should first face disciplinary action.
“Nobody is more special in the orange party, these open impunity and double standards should not be allowed in the party. Those who supported an Independent candidate in last polls should first face disciplinary action” Obado said.
He added that: “We will not accept two or three people to seat in Nairobi and dictate to Migori residents where to go as if we are blind.”
He said his stance is preventing individuals who think they are close to the party and want to dictate who to be voted for in 2022.
READ ALSO: Why Ochillo Ayacko withdrew the case challenging Obado’s election as governor
“If anybody comes to you here and tell you to support him (Ayacko) because the decision was made from above, tell him to seek votes from above,” Obado said.
He said his stance against Ayacko was not based on fear of oversight, as the same “propaganda” didn’t stop his re-election.
Since time immemorial Luos have been having only one leader in the name of Raila Odinga, but so far he has failed to deliver to the Luo community as a whole. What has he brought to Nyanza people besides death. Isn’t it time for Nyanza people to diversify and look for other leaders with a different agenda. Raila has been there for too long, leadership has gone to his head. Nyanza people are in a quagmire, we need people with fresh ideas. Let us tap his knowledge as a strategist, but not as a leader, because he is defeated. What has he brought to Nyanza people or his followers. Look at the division he has brought in Migori, to make it worse he only go there during election time to pit leaders against each other. This is not about election in Migori, it is leadership supremacy, where Raila is flexing his muscle to show that he is the king of Luo land. Only in Nyanza where people are more democratic; leaders like Junet Mohamed and Shabir are elected by the people despite being minorities, so I trust that Migori people can elect their leaders without all the ODM leaders from other counties camping there. This is a disrespect to Migori people. Raila has never held a fund raising to any collapsing schools or churches in Nyanza, other leaders like Ruto hold fund raisings and built their communities, all he does is criticising them and continue asking where they got the money.Why don’t he go get the money where they got and bring us development. He has had numerous chances, but failed to deliver. Migori people should not let outsiders undermine their governor and dictate to them whom to elect, otherwise, Migori county will be a play ground where leaders from other counties will be playing ping pong, while others doing their kabuki dance.