Billionaire Jimmy Wanjigi‘s bid to fly the ODM party presidential ticket in the August 9, General Election has run into a brick wall after the party made its final determination.
The ODM party has recommended party leader and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga to vie for the presidency on Azimio la Umoja coalition ticket in the upcoming elections.
This means the party will not be fielding a presidential candidate and will instead join the yet-to-be registered Azimio la Umoja coalition brings together several political parties which support Raila as the flag bearer.
In a letter to newsrooms, ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna on Thursday, February 24, said the Orange party’s National Executive Committee had unanimously picked Raila as its preferred presidential candidate.
“The National Executive Committee of the party met this morning in Nairobi in preparation for the National Governing Council Meeting to be held tomorrow and the National delegate’s conference scheduled for Saturday,
“Amongst the matter discussed were that the NGC/NDC of the party proposed Raila Amolo Odinga as the Presidential Candidate for the Azimio la Umoja coalition/Coalition party,” the letter read in part.
The party further proposed that the NDC set to be held on Friday, February 25 adapts to Consensus, Direct ticket, delegates system, and voting by registered members in picking the party’s candidates for various elective seats in the upcoming election.
Raila’s endorsement comes just a day after the opposition party asked businessman Jimmy Wanjigi to pay KSh 1 million presidential nomination fee.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, February 22, the ODM party said that it will open its application portal next week giving a green light to those who have not applied to carry the party’s presidential flag.
“The National Elections Board (NEB) wishes to inform all aspirants that the application portal for the party will be ready within this week,
“The aspirants are reminded to read all applicable laws and rules and prepare to submit their applications as shall be guided,” the party said.
