KAMPALA – Forum for Democratic change (FDC) candidate who withdrew from the Kaabong women MP Ms. Judith Adyaka Nalibe has threatened to sue Electoral Commission (EC), should they go ahead and print her photos in the ballot papers.
Ms Adyaka’s reaction follows a letter by the electoral commission rejecting her withdrawal from the race.
According to the letter from the EC dated September 16, “reads refer to the communication from candidate Adyaka Judith Nalibe notifying the commission of her withdrawal from the parliamentary by-election for the woman representative to parliament for Kaabong district dated September 12, 2019, and your objection there to date 16th September.”
“This is to inform you that the commission is conscious and mindful of the provisions of section 19(2a) of the parliamentary elections act, which requires a candidate sponsored by a political party or organization to effect his or her nomination withdrawal through a secretary general of the political party or organization or any other person authorized by the political party or organization. While the commission did receive candidate Adyaka Judith Nalibe withdrawal letter, the same does not comply with the foregoing provision of the law,” the letter signed by Justice Byabakama Mugenyi Simon chair person, electoral commission reads.
Ms. Adyaka wrote a letter to the EC withdrawing from the race citing lack of financial.
In her withdrawal letter reads “Reference is made to the above and thus addresses you as her under. I was dully nominated by your office on the 28th of August 2019 to contest for the position of the district women member of parliament for Kaabong district.”
“This notice is hereby made to unequivocally withdraw my candidature from the race and I don’t wish to contest in the aforementioned position and that my name should be struck off the list/news of nominated candidates to contest for the position of Kaabong district women member of Parliament.”
“This notice is made pursuant to section 19(1) and 19(2) of the parliamentary be lections 2005. I have further accompanied my withdrawal with three signatures of registered voters or my constituency who has witness my withdrawal,” reads the letter to the chairman EC.
PML Daily learnt that the letter by the Commission rejecting the withdrawal of Ms Adyaka from the race was after FDC Secretary General Nathan Nandala Mafabi wrote the letter to the EC objecting the withdrawal of their candidate
In the FDC letter reads in part, “We refer to the notice dated 12th/9/2019 by Ms Adyaka Judith Nalibe. This candidate was sponsored by the FDC party under section 10 of the parliamentary election act, 2006. Therefore, section19 (2) and (3) cannot be applied in isolation. Note, we are under multiparty dispensation. As a party, we object to her withdraw. The party can nominate a candidate in the absence and carry out campaigns without a candidate. Reference to Dr. Kizza Besigye case of 2006.”
It adds that “The party is the one which paid nomination fees, printed campaign materials and organized the campaign process among others. Should electoral commission go ahead with this then they should be prepared to compensate FDC party with over two hundred million. This withdrew is therefore null and avoid.”
In the same development, FDC held press conference at their head offices in Najjanankumbi, a Kampala suburb where the party spokesperson Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda claimed that Ms Nalibe on September 12 held a secret meeting with President Museveni in Moroto Town.
Mr Museveni, the NRM chairperson, was in Moroto on the stated date to sign a memorandum of understanding with visiting Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta on cross-border movement.
“We are investigating reports that [President] Museveni bribed our candidate with Shs1.2b to withdraw from the race,’’ Mr Ssemujju said
However, Ms Adyaka speaking to PML Daily on Friday 20th she has warned that she will take the electoral commission to court if they go ahead and include her photo and names to the ballot paper.
“I have withdrawn from the race and it’s my right because my FDC party neglected me leaving me alone struggling raising resources for the campaign,” She said.
On the allegations of bribery Mr. Adyaka offered alternative to the FDC team to go and get print out from the MTN if she had any conversation with the NRM team.
“They are using those allegations to dodge blame because they (FDC) betrayed me, deceiving me every day whenever I call them for financial support they never responded I have never met President Museveni and I don’t wish even to meet him over what I will remain in FDC preparing for 2021 elections,”
“Since I started campaigning my party has not been helpful to me what I only got from my party is the support of shs500,000 only and even my campaigning posters have not been brought so I don’t have money to proceed, “She said.
According to Ms. Adyaka her ground was well planned and for the first time FDC was going to win elections in Kaabong.
Mr. Linos Lima the Karamoja regional Elections office confirmed the electoral commission has rejected the withdrawal of Ms Adyaka saying on the 26th the Election Day Mrs. Adyaka’s name and photo will be at a ballot paper.
Kaabong district women Member of Parliament seat fell vacant after Ms Lily Akello crossed to the newly created Karenga district.
They were two candidates Ms Adyaka of FDC and Ms Christine Tubo Nakwang of NRM and this might make Nakwang to be announced unopposed.
The elections for the vacant Kaabong seat will take place on the 26th of September this year.
