Opposition leaders in the Acholi sub-region have been urged by Forum for Democratic Change-FDC Party President Patrick Oboi Amuriat to rejoin what he refers to as the “original” FDC party.
During a weekend rally in Gulu City, Amuriat informed the locals that a power struggle inside the FDC caused some party members from the Acholi Sub-region to recently leave the main leadership and join its rivals in Katonga.
He specifically invited Kitgum Municipality MP Denis Ameere Onekalit and Gulu City Woman legislator Betty Aol Ocan to go “home” when they switched to support Dr. Kizza Besigye’s katonga faction. The two lawmakers are among the Acholi Sub-regional FDC stalwarts in Parliament who have criticized Amuriat and Secretary General Nathan Nandala Mafabi.
Amuriat asked the party’s members who had walked away to come back, telling the FDC followers in Gulu City that there is only one FDC party, despite the arguments that are evident inside it.
Amuriat claims that any party member wishing to run for an elective office on the FDC party ticket must do so using the official party seal and signature, which are presently in the party secretary general Mafabi’s possession.
Lawmakers from the opposition FDC party who support Amuriat in the Acholi Sub-region included Gilbert Olanya of Kilak South, Lucy Akello of Amuru Woman, and Philip Polly Okin Ojara of Chua West, who were present at the gathering.
In contrast to the more recent faction at Katonga, Okin assured the audience that they will continue to fully support the Party headquarters in Najjanankumbi, which is recognized as the genuine FDC.
He also urged the political leaders of the FDC in the Acholi Sub-region to reconsider their choice to support the opposition Katonga faction.
In his speech to the community, FDC Secretary-General Nathan Nandala Mafabi expressed the party’s regret that certain party members from the sub-region are departing at a time when unity is needed to mobilize support for the party nationwide.
Mafabai urged party members to extend forgiveness to one another, saying that in the event that he has harmed anyone, he too has to be pardoned in his capacity as secretary general.
A parallel team of executives was introduced by the FDC Katonga branch in Gulu City at the beginning of last month. This came after a grassroots election was held among the 128 cells and 32 wards in the Divisions of Bardege-Layibi and Pece-Laroo. The new group of leaders consists of 22 members in the Pece-Laroo and Bardege-Layibi divisions and 11 executive members in the city, chaired by Patrick Oola Lumumba and deputized by Betty Aol Ocan.
Comments are closed.