MP accused of manipulating FDC polls
Sep 22, 2010
THE Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party spokesman for Gulu district, Ben Acellam, who pulled out of the race for the LC5 seat, has accused Aswa MP Reagan Okumu of bribing party delegates to support Martin Ojara Mapenduzi.
By Chris Ocowun
THE Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party spokesman for Gulu district, Ben Acellam, who pulled out of the race for the LC5 seat, has accused Aswa MP Reagan Okumu of bribing party delegates to support Martin Ojara Mapenduzi.
In a September 21 petition to the Gulu party tribunal, Acellam claimed that Okumu bribed voters on behalf of Ojara.
“Okumu gave sh300,000 to each delegate in Aswa county and sh100,000 to each delegate at Koro and Ongako sub-counties in Omoro county,†Acellam said.
He added that Okumu used a government vehicle to campaign for Ojara in Aswa and Omoro counties. “This was reported to the Police officer in charge of Omoro county, who in turn reported to the district Police commander,†he said.
Acellam also said Okumu intimidated voters, saying he (Acellam) had just joined FDC and should not be elected as district chairman.
Acellam is demanding for the cancellation of the primaries and the organisation of fresh ones in accordance with the FDC party constitution and guidelines.
But Okumu described Acellam as an NRM spy who is looking for cheap popularity. He explained that one month ago, Acellam told him he wanted to contest for the seat.
“I told Acellam that there were already two candidates contesting for the same position and he should look for another vacant post. Instead Acellam demanded that I refund the sh11m that he had spent on campaigns,†Okumu said.
Ojara will face Rtd. Col. Walter Ochora of NRM, who wants to bounce back as the chairman after he was beaten by Norbert Mao in 2006 elections.
Ochora, who resigned his position as the Gulu resident district commissioner, was declared the NRM party flag bearer for the LC5 seat.
THE Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party spokesman for Gulu district, Ben Acellam, who pulled out of the race for the LC5 seat, has accused Aswa MP Reagan Okumu of bribing party delegates to support Martin Ojara Mapenduzi.
In a September 21 petition to the Gulu party tribunal, Acellam claimed that Okumu bribed voters on behalf of Ojara.
“Okumu gave sh300,000 to each delegate in Aswa county and sh100,000 to each delegate at Koro and Ongako sub-counties in Omoro county,†Acellam said.
He added that Okumu used a government vehicle to campaign for Ojara in Aswa and Omoro counties. “This was reported to the Police officer in charge of Omoro county, who in turn reported to the district Police commander,†he said.
Acellam also said Okumu intimidated voters, saying he (Acellam) had just joined FDC and should not be elected as district chairman.
Acellam is demanding for the cancellation of the primaries and the organisation of fresh ones in accordance with the FDC party constitution and guidelines.
But Okumu described Acellam as an NRM spy who is looking for cheap popularity. He explained that one month ago, Acellam told him he wanted to contest for the seat.
“I told Acellam that there were already two candidates contesting for the same position and he should look for another vacant post. Instead Acellam demanded that I refund the sh11m that he had spent on campaigns,†Okumu said.
Ojara will face Rtd. Col. Walter Ochora of NRM, who wants to bounce back as the chairman after he was beaten by Norbert Mao in 2006 elections.
Ochora, who resigned his position as the Gulu resident district commissioner, was declared the NRM party flag bearer for the LC5 seat.