Life members of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) have submitted a petition to the party’s National Elections Board (NEB), demanding the immediate resignation of Acting party leader Oburu Odinga.
The petition, dated November 18, is led by ODM life member Rachael Tabitha, who alleges that Oburu Odinga and a select group of leaders have violated ODM’s constitution, undermining internal democracy, transparency, and members’ rights.
“We, the undersigned Life Members of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), led by Hon. Rachael Tabitha submit this petition in exercise of our rights as loyal, dedicated, and constitutionally recognized as life members of the party.”
The petition also calls for an urgent National Delegates Convention (NDC) to restore legitimacy to party structures and for full recognition of life members and all ODM members in decision-making processes.
ODM Life Members Issue Demands to the Party
The petition submitted by the life members of the ODM party demands the following from him:
- Immediate Resignation of Oburu Odinga
From any and all-party leadership positions he currently occupies, for violating internal democratic norms and undermining party cohesion.
- Convening of an Urgent National Delegates Convention (NDC).
To deliberate on the current governance crisis, restore legitimacy to party structures, and reaffirm ODM’s constitutional values.
- Full Respect and Recognition of Life Members and All ODM Members
Including adherence to their constitutional rights, participation in party decision-making, and protection from exclusionary practices.
Life members warn ODM
The petition has stressed that if their demands are not met within the next thirty days since the submission of the petition, they will resign from the party.
“If the above actions are not undertaken within thirty (30) days from the date of this petition, we, the undersigned Life Members of ODM, shall tender our resignation from the party, as a matter of principle, in protest under The Raila school of thought against the ongoing violation of constitutional order’ reads part of the petition.”
Oburu Odinga’s Appointment
Oburu Odinga was officially appointed by the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) as the Acting Party Leader, following the death of the party’s long-serving leader and former Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga.
In a statement released Thursday, October 16, ODM announced that its National Executive Committee (NEC) had met and unanimously endorsed Dr. Oginga’s designation as Acting Party Leader, a decision that takes effect immediately.
“The National Executive Committee (NEC) has this morning met and unanimously endorsed the designation of the Senator of Siaya County, Dr. Oburu Oginga, as the Acting Party Leader. This appointment takes effect immediately,” the party said in a statement.
The late Raila Odinga had served as the leader of the ODM Party since its formation.
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Despite some ODM life members opposing the party’s decision to appoint Oburu as party leader, several legislators, including Saboti MP Caleb Amisi, share the view that Oburu was wrongfully appointed.
Amisi described the move as premature and disrespectful to the legacy of the late Raila Odinga.
“You know, the first thing I said, and I’ve been loud about it; I’m always very brutally honest, is that giving Oburu that position while barring Baba was wrong timing. It could have been endorsed at any other time, but why the hurry? We’ve said it, and now you see the repercussions. We were supposed to do ODM at 20, but now Baba has left us. We are still mourning. People are angry out there,” he said.
Winnie Odinga also appeared uncomfortable with the party’s decision to choose Oburu as Raila’s successor and called for an NDC so that party members can decide for themselves who the next party leader should be.
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