Zimbabwe: Movement for Democratic Change – Tsvangirai (MDC-T) – Statement on Tomorrow’s By-elections (25.03.2022)

Nigeria: Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) – Press Release (24.03.2022)

Opinion: Tayebwa and Among will make the House into a Partisan Den

Now that it’s official and the voting tomorrow is in session. The news that Chief Whip Thomas Tayebwa is the anointed Deputy Speaker to take the place of the current Deputy Anita Annet Among. We know the drill here and the most likely result tomorrow is that both of these gets the promotions in Parliament.

So in advance, congratulations and hope you can resurrect your legacies. However, in the grand scheme of things of things. I doubt it… and these two cadres are the token loyalists and egocentric puppets, which are the sort of fishermen that the President has prayed for entering his party all his life. These sort of small-time schemers and elite, which is easily corrupted and tricked into thinking they are doing their own gains, but initially just serving the purpose of the State House.

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni must be so happy. That his getting the partisan people of Tayebwa and Among to these roles is just a blessing for the old man. He gets the epitome of hacks and insufferable people to represent his causes in the Parliament. These will wait for the whistle and ensure the NRM is at the heart of things.

Tayebwa has proven this all on his own. That he says just censoring Muhwezi was a target against all of the members of the Movement. When he could say that as a Chief Whip and staunchly defend the merits and questionable act of the Minister. We know that he has the ability and heart to strike even harder as the Deputy. He will follow the foot-steps of Among and cause even more damage without proper procedure or protocol. Just to throw the opposition into a tail-spin and escalate even more tension between the parties.

Among already proven that with her handling of the Zaake case and removal of title as Commissioner. Therefore, we know how she plays and used the office as Deputy. Now that she’s the boss and the Speaker. She can be even more ruthless and insincere. I don’t expect her to change or suddenly become a person of integrity or honesty. As that ship has sailed and she has proven there is one standard for NRM and another for the rest. That’s just how things goes and now the Parliament has to follow these sets of guidance and rules. If not… she can use the same argument again to revoke or censor someone.

When we know all this and this is the outcome of the death of Oulanyah. It is clear that the cadres and the well-grounded MPs within NRM is becoming extinct. When this is the best they have to offer and who they are endorsing to such roles. Theses people should be trusted and be people who will follow the words of the procedure and the law. However, these are so partisan and so selective in their reasoning. That I doubt they will ever do so.

These people will bargain and ensure the NRM and the President decrees are followed. Without any oversight or accountability. I expect the 11th Parliament to be so partisan, that the Leader of Parliament will often boycott or not participate. Neither will many of the Opposition MPs. Who don’t see grounds or values in the Plenary Sessions. As they are muffled and not taken into consideration. The majority and the NRM has a head who will silence and brutally engage with them. Therefore, things are not getting, but instead worse…

These two running the show. It will be a circus and a partisan at that. There will be no middle-ground or sort of impressionable scene. The ones that is chosen has already proven that by their actions and words. The titles and ranks might change, but we know these two bleeds yellow. Therefore, the sights on the Parliament will be so too. These will not account or care, because these has only interest of the Movement and nothing else.

That’s why there should be other types of cadres and MPs elected to these roles. However, the NRM CEC and the likes doesn’t even shield the need to totally suffocate the opposition. Peace.

Opinion: Among is the chosen one and the Greater North isn’t get their way

Rt. Hon Anita Among has been endorsed as Speaker of parliament by NRM CEC, NRM Secretary General Richard Todwong has confirmed” (94.3 QFM LIRA, 23.03.2022).

The news are now out of the bag. The waiting game is over and the finalization of what to come is here. The current Deputy Speaker Anita Among is getting the nomination and getting vouched by the National Resistance Movement – Central Executive Committee (NRM-CEC) that was anticipated and it’s not shocking.

Though now the NRM MPs from the Greater North in Lango, Acholi and West Nile have to either stand by their words or bow to the command of the NRM CEC. Because, the NRM CEC decisions tends to be final. Just like the direction and decisions made at the NRM Caucus at the State House. These are the end-game and how things are resolved. Where the mater is up for the high above and his final word settle the score.

In this round, it’s the Deputy becoming the Speaker. Meaning there will possibly be a double election. As if she wins the race as a speaker, which she is bound too. Among has the majority of MPs behind her and there is now way the numbers game change in any shape or form to help any opposition to counter it. Therefore, the decision and endorsement is the end.

This means that the 12 other was dismissed, even as one Minister had already revoked her candidacy and with doing so… only making it 12 candidates instead of the initial 13 reported. However, her candidacy was a long-shot and it was wise just to back-out anyway.

We will see the hurt and the pain in concern to the Acholi and the North, which wanted to ring-fence this position. They wanted this office to reflect the powerhouse of the North. That is how they have spoken since Jacob Oulanyah passed away. Therefore, the NRM CEC and the President didn’t want to honour that and instead picked the most loyal cadre, which is Among.

The ones thinking this is good choice. Well, they can look into the case of Zaake and how his been treated by the Deputy Speaker. Knowingly that is how she operates as the Deputy and would most likely be more fierce as the Speaker. The 11th Parliament will be a dungeon of partisanship for the NRM and there will be no grounds or trying to make it seem any different.

Anita Among isn’t the like or concern for protocols, neither is she worried about the grand scheme of things. She seems only to be worried about her ego and her titles. That’s why she fits well with the current NRM. Who doesn’t care about the laws or the ramifications of their actions. As long as the enemies suffer and the opposition lingers in purgatory. That’s how she operates and I can only expect more of that from her. She will use any excuse or deliberation to mock, take shots and even revoke their privileges. That is how she are and now she is promoted for it too.

While the ones wanting an Acholi or a Northerner is left behind. They shouldn’t expect anything else. There is no law or a wording, which stated this or said so. It was wishful thinking, but the President and his CEC didn’t see the value in it. They rather have status quo and call it a night.

Alas, the North and Acholi might feel betrayed… but the High Ranking Officials and the roles of government isn’t ring-fenced or bound by law to one group, unless it is a cultural institution or a monarchy where family lineage matters. Therefore, this was a mission impossible for the Northerners to begin with.

Everyone can say the Westerners and the family affairs of the President makes it seems like other positions are filled with this and the North should have their say. That is true, but it wasn’t in the cards and they didn’t have a fitting character or the leverage with CEC. Because, if they had a person who had the connection, the leverage and the needed qualification of the President. That person would get endorsed. However, that didn’t happen and Teso got the golden ticket this time around.

Am not shocked, as she was one of the front-runners and naturally so. Since she was already the Deputy. This is just continuing the current affairs and nothing else. Among will just pursuit her interests and be a cog in the machinery for the NRM. That is evident by how she was running things and now she has gotten a promotion. Peace.

Kabataan Partylist: PDP-Laban Duterte faction’s endorsement of Marcos Jr. marks national unity of oligarchy (22.03.2022)

Despite the script hailing the staged endorsement as progress towards national unity and healing, Kabataan Partylist sees nothing but a national unity of oligarchy.

PDP-Laban through this endorsement stabs in the back its anti-dictatorship roots just to piggyback on the theft trail led by the Marcoses.

It is cemented further that the Duterte dynasty works to rehabilitate the Marcoses to full power, and the Marcos dynasty works to shield the Dutertes from accountability.

No one benefits from this union except those elite few who surround them and stand to gain from the plunder of our nation.

The negligent and matapobre stance of Marcos Jr. and the Duterte admin to continue charging excise taxes amid the oil price crisis is only a preview to how their alliance will leave more Filipinos hungry just to protect fellow oligarchs.

An easy option to ease the burden of ordinary citizens from skyrocketing prices would have been to decisively collect the unpaid 203-billion estate taxes of the Marcoses.

Worse, this union will definitely work to continue a bloody legacy of harmful redtagging operations, extrajudicial killings and attacks on democratic rights. They will not hesitate to do so just to silence youth who dare to question their corrupt rule.

They will boost funding for the Anti-Terror Law and NTF-ELCAC, spelling massacre by hunger or by bullet for many Filipinos.

We, Filipino youth have had enough. We are tired of a government serving and uniting only the oligarchy.

We will ensure the defeat of the Duterte-Marcos tandem for our rights to education, health, livelihood and civil liberties. We stand united for genuine social change against the tyranny of the Duterte-Marcos alliance.

Kabataan Partylist

March 22, 2022

Opinion: The Northern MPs can boycott the speaker elections, but the NRM CEC nominee will be winner…

Members of Parliament from Acholi, West Nile, and Lango sub-regions have threatened to boycott the elections of the Speaker of Parliament if the Central Executive Committee of the NRM fails to nominate the candidates they endorsed for Speakership. The group wants the Speaker’s position ring-fenced in relation to the region’s contribution in last year’s general polls” (NBS Television, 22.03.2022).

The Acholi Parliamentary Group has already endorsed Hilary Onek, as the Minister and MP for Speaker. While the recent reports and the NRM Electoral Commission had a list of 13 MPs wanting to be the Speaker. Onek wasn’t on the list published by Dr. Tanga Odoi today. Meaning he has not shown interest or in time for the NRM EC to be eligible for the election.

By the list of NRM EC the ones who fits this description is Jackson Atima of Arua, Denis Hamson Obua of Abletong, Felix Okot Ogong of Dokolo, Jane Ruth Aceng of Lira and John Amos Okot of Agago.

So, out of the 13 MPs seeking to be Speaker … 5 of these are from the Greater North or the region of which they ring-fencing the Speakership of the Parliament. This is making it tribal and using the Acholi or North as a reason for someone to get elected. It is not saying they have the best person or the one who is fit to be the speaker.

We know that the Northern MPs and Acholi Parliamentary Group can petition all they want and say they want it again. Because, late Jacob Oulanyah came from the region. That all makes sense, but there is no ownership of the office of speaker. Just like there is no ring-fencing of the Presidency or anything else. There is no unwritten rules either. At least not by the Constitution or anywhere else.

This is just sentiments to ensure the Acholi and Greater North has a say. That all makes sense. However, the ideals will all depend on if any of the NRM Central Executive Committee (CEC) will put this into consideration or implement it. Because it all depends on this body and than later in the election the NRM follow this decision. That is how things goes and this will be no different.

If the Greater Northern MPs thinks so. They have to prove it, but they shouldn’t count on it. The NRM can use the tribalism and these grounds to not accept it. Since, they can speak of merit and qualifications. Nevertheless, the NRM has a hard choice and a region wants answers. This will not be easy…

The NRM CEC isn’t fileld with Northerners either. The NRM have an issue of appointing Westerns to the highest offices and become prominent within the party. So, if they want to give the Republic another picture. They can prove that very easily. Nevertheless, it is hard to count on it.

The nomination is up for grabs and everything is just speculations. The truth will be out tomorrow and the NRM CEC has a die to cast. No matter what eyes they get. It will have ramification and one favoured MP will become the next Speaker of the 11th Parliament. Peace.

Opinion: The NRM CEC will decide who is the chosen one [2nd Speaker race in the 11th Parliament]

Today there are 13 National Resistance Movement (NRM) MPs who has decided to stand as a candidate and field interests in becoming the next speaker in the 11th Parliament after Jacob Oulanyah died in Seattle, United States of America. Because of the unfortunate death of Oulanyah, by law and after Constitutional Law the Parliament had to focus on an election of a Speaker before transacting any business in Parliament. Meaning it couldn’t function or have plenary sessions without a speaker.

This is why the acts of NRM Electoral Commission and the Parliament itself to schedule a new election of speaker has come so quickly. Since, the Parliament would loose a lot of time and the term, if it awaited a long mourning period or whatnot. Sadly, things has to move-on, even when the biggest men or the highest ranking official dies. The Republic continues while the families are holding the memory of deceased near their hearts.

The NRM Central Executive Committee must be happy that so many stepped forward and was willing. Because, some of these 13 candidates are risking their current positions or offices to get another one. They have faith that the NRM and the President see them fit. Because, the will of NRM CEC and the NRM Caucus is usually final.

The opposition can field a candidate or candidates, but doesn’t stand a chance. They are fish out of water. Not because they are not eligible or have possible characters that could fit the description of speaker or deputy speaker for that matter. For one simple reason: The opposition don’t have the numbers or the majority on their side. The NRM tends to support their own and most likely will vote for own candidate.

What is striking is that current Deputy Speaker Anita Among is throwing her weight into it. As she is currently the deputy and thinks she is the right fit to become the current one. Yes, she has held most of the plenary sessions since the 11th Parliament started, because Oulanyah only had like 3 plenary sessions. So, she has had to some time and proven herself. There are even a letter circulating proving that she did resign. Nevertheless, it is all up to the NRM CEC and their choices tomorrow.

The NRM CEC can know about the support and the possible alliances, which are everything from the ones who are supported by the Acholi Parliamentary Group to the ones going on TV and going to the NRM EC in favour of Among. There is all sorts of interests at play. Clearly, some are eyeing a possible upgrade or a promotion. Others are hoping to galvanize support or get recognition. Since, some of these MPs aren’t all that.

We can wonder, if the Ministers in the race has resigned from their offices, this in concern of Jane Ruth Aceng, Sarah Opendi, Jackson Kafuuzi, Jacob Oboth-Oboth or Denis Hamson Obua. I am saying that… because by law and the articles of the Speaker they cannot be both Speaker and a Minister at the same time. Meaning they are possibly risking their offices and has to resign as well.

The likes of Deputy Attorney General Kafuuzi is awaiting recognition from the NRM CEC tomorrow before resigning. Therefore, his awaiting the outcome of tomorrow before going all in. This shows that he has thought ahead, but it is a risk…. Since this signals to the President and the State House, that there are many who wants to get prestigious appointment and get higher up the ladder.

We know that the President don’t approve of naked ambition, but he cannot deny the swaying power of it either. That’s why he creates so many offices and possible state organizations to appoint his loyal cadres. Therefore, he shouldn’t be shocked about it.

The only thing we can do is now to await the results of tomorrows meeting. We have to see who has a shot and such. Since we know the Chief Whip Thomas Tayebwa will get everyone or most of the MPs in line to vote in the direction the NRM CEC commands them to do. This is will be the final straw and the end of the matter. The election and the polls in Parliament will only be formalities after the NRM CEC decisions been made. The results are sort of made when the President and his council has decided.

The NRM MPs will follow that and this the end-game. Peace.

Opinion: Khupe is a political mercenary and I don’t buy the CCC publicity stunt…

We’re calling on all MDC-T members and supporters to go and vote on March 26 for CCC candidates across the country. By voting on March 26, we are building a strong foundation for a resounding victory in 2023. I’m also calling on our members and supporters and citizens at large to go to every house, street and village and mobilise citizens to go out and vote in numbers for CCC candidates across the country”Thokozani Khupe (Thomas Sibanda – ‘Khupe says ‘let’s put the past behind us’ as she backs Chamisa and CCC’ 23.03.2022).

With the recent act of Khupe it shows that the Movement for Democratic Change – Tsvangirai (MDC-T) is a defunct or practically shell of it past. The battle of victory and ownership of the MDC has tarnished both Khupe and Douglas Mwonzora. They have been part of the ZANU-PF pawns to destroy and dismantle the biggest opposition party.

So, with the knowledge of that, as the Mwonzora and Khupe actions has re-called MPs, Councillors and whatnot. These two has gone after the name and relinquished everything. If she didn’t loose to some sort of internal battle with Mwonzora. Khupe would have been the leader of the MDC-T and MDC-Alliance. As she now awaits to loose the rights and membership in MDC-T. That’s because Mwonzora runs both defunct entities on the mercy of the state.

Khupe can now wear yellow and go from the red of MDC. She can act and talk of participation of the CCC. However, no soul with a working marble believes she is sincere about this. She worked so hard with POLAD and ZANU-PF to distort and dismantle the previous party. That is what she did and if Douglas hadn’t outsmarted her. She would have been on top and been the best mate of the crocodile.

That’s why I have little faith in Khupe. She is a political mercenary and if a dictionary needs an example… Khupe is a perfect one and a mint edition. This is why today is such a flabbergasting day and injustice to the acts of the not far-distance past. She has been in the game and acted like this for political favours. Khupe might speak ill of Mwonzora now and feel the need to find a new home. However, that home shouldn’t just open up for her. She isn’t an honest agent and can easily be corrupted again.

She can easily become a political bedmate of the President and the Lacoste. Her action sand words of the past doesn’t change with a publicity stunt of which she did today. Khupe cannot erase it and neither can she turn back time.

Yes… people can change and people can get new moral understanding of our surroundings. Nevertheless, this is a ploy and not a believable theatre. As a person she could have grown and become a better politician. However, I only see this as fishing for relevancy and hoping to get a shot in the new opposition party.

I hope that the CCC is not just accepting her in and giving her a space. Khupe is a destructive force and a bad actor. That doesn’t change overnight. She has deliberately destroyed the MDC-Alliance and MDC-T. So, why do you want a villain to participate or be a part of the new party….

This is surely done on her own… but the CCC leadership should speak out and address this. Khupe and the like who is the reason for the existence of the CCC. Shouldn’t suddenly play a part of it. The ones that made this change a need and a necessity… shouldn’t suddenly get a pass or be a voice of the CCC. That is disrespecting all the skeletons she left behind in the MDC-T. Peace.

Opinion: A new Speaker has to be elected before a new plenary or business is transacted in Parliament

The 1995 Constitution in article 82(4) states that no business shall happen in Parliament other than the election of a Speaker at any time the Office falls vacant. Now that it’s official that late Speaker Jacob Oulanyah died in Seattle. The stipulations in the Constitution is clear and sets the parameter of the next actions.

In other parts of the article 82(5) the Chief Justice, which happens to be Justice Alfonse Chigamoy Owiny-Dollo, either himself has to preside of the election of the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker. He can also designate a judge to do it for him in his stead.

What we do know by the other stipulations in the Constitution. The Speaker cannot be a Vice-President or Minister for that matter. Unless, Rebecca Kadaga now resigns from her position. She cannot be re-elected as Speaker. If she would be willing to risk that and again renegade for her own personal interests. Which she did with fielding her candidacy in defiance to the will of her party in 2021. Alas, things can become tense and interesting.

Because, we know things will run with a State Funeral and a transport of the body from the United States and back to Uganda. Where a Committee appointed by the President will preside over the proceedings and functions of the late Oulanyah.

Since he was sick, the Deputy Speaker Anita Among have run the business of the Parliament. While she was expecting a ceremony of forgiveness from Hon. Francis Zaake this up-coming week. That will clearly be abandoned and new things are bound to appear.

The Constitution is setting precedence and there is protocol to follow. The ones who calls this cold-hearted and out of order. Well, if they want an illegal plenary and stop parliamentary business. Then you skip these formalities and opens up a quagmire of problems, which can haunt the transacted business of the August House. The House should be order and it should follow the stipulated laws, as it’s the body, which enacts and proposes new legislation. Therefore, they should be the ones that honours it first and accordingly so.

Some might say… isn’t that mighty Noble and outside of purpose. However, if the 1995 Constitution hadn’t said this in the articles and the laws was reflecting this. I wouldn’t have questioned the legality either. Nevertheless, here we are and the justifications to ask for it is justified. The article 82 is clear in it’s wording and there is little wiggle-room.

The ones speaking of long mourning period and not hold an election for a new speaker. They are void of the fact of the function and the constitutional bound role of the speaker. This is why the importance of doing it and ensure the formalities for business transacting in the August House. That should for matter for anyone who wants things to be done legally and after constitutional order.

Deputy Speaker Among might feel justified to continue, as she has done so in the absence of Oulanyah. Since he fell ill, became bed-ridden and went to hospital, even before he was referred to get treatment in the United States. She has been the one in his stead. However, the law isn’t giving her the rights to automatically get in his stead. The laws are set to have new elections. Meaning new candidates and possible re-election. This can be a hurdle or she have to trade on the goodwill of envelopes of late.

Time will really tell. Nevertheless, we have to see how the 11th Parliament will operate, but if they will act accordingly to the Constitution. They have now one agenda and one objective, which the Chief Justice or the ones he appoints have to preside over. The new election of the new speaker and deputy speaker. Since the seat of the Speaker is now vacant. Peace.

Opinion: We can now await a Omoro County By-Election …

Today it was revealed that Speaker and Omoro Constituency Member of Parliament Jacob Oulanyah had died after months of sickness at the hospital in Seattle, United States of America. Now, the ramifications of it also needs to be addressed. Since, when an MP dies it automatically triggers a By-Election to get someone else to get his office. Alas, that will be the case here.

The National Resistance Movement (NRM) first has to have a Primary Election and find a successor as a flag-bearer in Omoro County. Since, the NRM has had Oulanyah running steadily on their tickets since 2011. He has been the sole proprietor of it since then and only had one term in the past as a Uganda People’s Congress MP. Therefore, the NRM got to search for someone eligible there ahead of the polls. As Oulanyah went unopposed in the recent flag-bearer race in Omoro County.

Secondly, we can assess a return of the former loser and runners-up in the 2021 election race. This being Independent candidate Olal Andrew P’obong and Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) candidate Terence Odonga. We should expect them returning to the polls and try to sway the voters yet again.

Obong has been reportedly saying this ahead of the 2021 polls:

You may have money, but power belongs to the people and they are the ones to decide. You have seen many strong politicians who have lost elections because they can’t account for their leadership. Leadership is not in a seat, it is how you mobilise your people for development” (New Vision – ‘2021 Polls: Two engineers threaten Speaker Oulanyah’s seat’ (18.06.2021).

We know that this seat has been contested before. In the 2016 General Elections, the then FDC candidate was said to have been kidnapped. The results pronounced even before the official counting. As well, as reports of boxes filled with pre-ticked ballots. Therefore, it is not like he was always a popular and an easy man to hit the polls.

What we can expect is that Olal Andrew P’obong might stage himself as the new NRM Flag-bearer, as he fought for that after moving from the FDC towards NRM in 2021. There is even further speculation that the failed Presidential Candidate and Democratic Party President Norbert Mao might seek re-election as MP and could vie for the Omoro County seat. However, that will be a different seat, as in the past he vied for the Gulu Municipality MP and was their MP between 1996-2006. By doing so, he still holds on to the resolution of only being the MP for Gulu Municipality for two terms. Nevertheless, that is just mere speculations and nothing is broadcasted yet on these matters.

Alas, we know things will move after Oulanyah is out of office and in the ground. There will be moves, the Electoral Commission will notify and prepare a road-map for By-Election on this seat. It will be heavily contested. As this is the first one in the 11th Parliament and a lot of prestige to keep it in the NRM. We can anticipate a much contested as the Arua By-Election in 2018. It would only make sense to think it could be like that. The whole state and whole machinery will do whatever it can to ensure victory. The Special Force Command and army arriving early. To think otherwise is naive and the opposition candidates will be silenced and struggle to have peace while holding rallies.

That is just my anticipations ahead of the polls in the Omoro County. Time will tell, but this inevitable to happen. The Omoro county cannot have a ghost representing it in the 11th Parliament. Peace.