NUP FAVOURS NRM IN MP BY-ELECTION

NUP’s Joseph Okoboi Opolot has pulled out of Gogonyo MP by-election in favour of NRM’s Derick Orone. NUP candidate, Mr Joseph Okoboi Opolot pulls out of the race in the forthcoming by-election of Gogonyo County in Palisa District. A few days ago, FDC withdrew its candidate in favour of NUP.

NRM’s candidate Orone Derrick is almost unopposed!!

The opposition National Unity (NUP) party candidate for Gogonyo County Member of Parliament by-election in Pallisa District, Joseph Okoboi Opolot has pulled out of the race in favour of the candidate of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), Derrick Orone.

The news of Opolot pulling out of the race was first announced by the Itseo Cultural Leader, Emorimori Papa Paul Sande after holding a meeting with Opolot on what he said were matters of common interests pertaining to the unity of people of Teso sub region, and the country at large.

“Upon my advice and in the interest of our people and the unity of the region, he (Opolot) has agreed to step aside and withdraw his candidature for any leadership role in Gogonyo,” said Emorimori in a statement on Sunday.

Shortly after Emorimori’s statement, Opolot also issued his own, confirming the withdrawal of his candidacy in the Gogonyo County Member of Parliament by-election.

“Reference is made to the above forth coming [Gogonyo] parliamentary elections due on the 11th August 2022 and in keeping with the Electoral Laws of the country and the constitution of the Republic of Uganda 1995 as amended. I have deeply consulted with our cultural leader, the EMORIMOR LO ITESO and my immediate family and agreed as follows:”

“That in keeping with our cultural and social network; having evaluated my political progress and balance; valuing my family will and standing in GOGONYO County, I have opted out of the forth coming elections due on the 11th August 2022 on my own free will,” said Opolot.

“Democracy and participation is a personal choice, I wish to therefore notify you officially that I have withdrawn my candidature without any fear or favour,” he added.

The pull-out of Opolot leaves NRM’s Derick Orone and Bantalib Issa Taligola in the race.

Following the signing of the cooperation agreement between the opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) and NUP parties, the two agreed to work together in any of the upcoming elections and by-elections.

In the recently concluded Soroti City East Member of Parliament by-election, the NUP did not front a candidate, but rather supported FDC’s Moses Attan.

Likewise, in Gogonyo, the FDC had returned favour to support NUP’s Opolot who has pulled out of the race.

It is too late for any party to now front a candidate in the Gogonyo County Member of Parliament by-election because the nomination of candidates was concluded on August 2, 2022.

This means that NRM’s Derick Orone and Bantalib Issa Taligola remain the only candidates nominated by the Pallisa District Returning Officer, Daniel Othieno to contest for Gogonyo County Member of Parliament by-election.

Polling will take place on August 11, 2022.