Maskless Jinja Returning Officer Jennifer Kyobutungi nominates mask less Pastor Iga Ibrahim Omaidu for the Jinja South Division West constituency on Monday 16 November, 2020.
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Last Updated on: 17th November 2020, 04:37 pm
Jinja – 17 November 2020: Justifying that he believes and serves a Living God who does not falter, a Jinja based Pentecostal pastor, Ibrahim Iga Omaidu was nominated on Monday 16 November 2020.
His bizarre nomination comes one month after the Electoral Commission officially closed the exercise.
The Jinja Returning Officer, Jennifer Kyobutungi did the’ unusual-surprising nomination’ after the electoral body chairman, Justice Simon Byabakama found merit in the issues raised by Omaidu.
Mr Omaidu who participated in the chaotic NRM primary and lost to the incumbent Moses Grace Balyeku for Jinja Division South West, failed to beat the October 16 deadline after technical glitches which declined to receive the shs3m for nomination.
He later petitioned the electoral commission that assembled legal experts and unanimously resolved that the pastor should be nominated to avoid heavy litigation.
Reasons for not being nominated on October 16
According to pastor Omaidu who heads Christ Commission Ministries (CCM) housed in a makeshift structure at Kakindu Complex, the bank declined to receive his money saying their system was down and could not make transfers to the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA).
Quoting sections of the Presidential and Parliamentary Election Act, Mr Omaidu said he used the written apology as basis of the petition, which was found to be complying with the law.
‘…here I am now a candidate, the EC officials led by the chairman acted fairly and professionally after hearing my side of the story with supporting documentary evidence…’, the man of God turned politician told reporters shortly after nomination.
The beaming Omaidu used the occasion to send warning to his bitter rival, MP Balyeku to prepare for one of the biggest political battles, saying, “Gone are the days when politics was synonymous with money”.
The entry of Omaidu now brings to eight the total number of candidates who are vying for the constituency that has been presided over by Balyeku.
They include four flag bearers of different political parties and those contesting on independent tickets.
