The Leadership of the National Resistance Movement party in Serere District has asked the party secretariat to hold a harmonization meeting between the NRM Flag bearer Philip Oucor and Late Okabe’s Son Emmanuel Omoding.
The Party leaders claim that if the party secretariat is not going to act the party will get more divided and may fail to win the upcoming Serere County By-elections.
The leaders made the call during the New Year Prayers organized by the family of late Patrick Okabe at their residence in Oburin cell, Ochaapa town council, Serere District.
Okabe, who also doubled as an overseer of Impact Ministries in Serere, died with his wife Christine Okabe when a truck rammed into their vehicle on the way to Kampala. They were buried on December 24 at their home in Oburin Cell, Ochapa Town Council in Serere District.
Mr. Michael Olobo the NRM Party Chairperson said that, “It’s true we (NRM) have the flag bearer but I want to request the NRM secretariat to come to Serere and listen to the dissenting voices.”
He notes that the disagreements, failures and Division in the party are as a result of failures in the 2020 NRM Primaries.
“There is division in NRM and if they don’t come and listen to the dissenting voices this will further divide us the more. This division came as a result of failures in 2020 party primaries. There is a need for dialogue in Serere and I call upon the interested persons to calm down as we wait for the secretariat to come,” He acknowledged.
“If we fail to agree this will affect our votes as a party and the party will fail to front a good candidate,” he noted while adding that, “NRM Party needs to accord late Patrick Okabe decent respect.”
Stephen Otage Serere County NRM Chairperson who spoke on behalf of all Village, Parish and Sub County NRM Chairperson said that the Serere issues must be decided in Serere not in Kampala.
“We are waiting to hear from the party and we request them to come down. Rushing the decision will not help yet opposition has agreed to support Bishop Okabe’s son,” Otage said.
The Chairperson’s also vowed if the secretariat fails to listen to the descending voices to support late Okabe’s son.
Late Okabe Patrick won the January 14, 2021 as an Independent candidate after losing the NRM Flag to Oucor.
He garnered 17,826 votes while Oucor Philip NRM Garnered 12,631 votes. Others in the race were; Onguruco Martin Independent who Garnered 10,513 votes, Eratu Emmanuel Independent 1,035 votes, Eyaru Joshua FDC 945 votes and Mukhalu Richard Okodel NUP 338 votes.
Also Read: https://tesonewsnetwork.com/2022/12/28/nrm-to-dump-flag-bearer-for-late-okabes-son/
“What’s going to happen in Serere is beyond political parties and there are people who cannot fear shame. They front money more than humanity. I want to call upon the people of Serere to pray to God and vote for Omoding massively,” Julius Ochen, the former Kapelebyong MP said.
Ochen asked elders and mothers to guide the youth in order to avoid shame.
Ochola John Stephen late Okabe’s brother is optimistic that late Okabe’s son is going to help in fulfilling his father’s unfinished projects.
Emmanuel Omoding on the other hand told the people of Serere to stop wiping and stand with strong hearts saying his father still lives in him.
“I will continue to do what my father started and I ask you people of Serere to stand strong. I am going to bring donors who are going to help in supplementing my work in fulfilling Papa’s missions,” Omoding said.
By press time, our reporter’s repeated calls to Richard Todwong, the NRM Secretary General, went unanswered.