No direct ticket for Sabatia MP, say party officials

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UDF secretary-general Abraham Limo (right) and chairman Osman Hassan. 

By Nation Correspondent
Posted  Friday, May 4  2012 at  21:46

Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi will not get an automatic ticket to be the United Democratic Forum’s presidential candidate, party officials said on Friday.

UDF chairman Osman Hassan and secretary-general Abraham Limo said that even if the former ODM deputy party leader was the only candidate, party members would have to endorse him from the county level.

The party has already prepared its nomination rules that allow other people to compete with Mr Mudavadi.

“We are happy as a party. It gives us pride that we have one candidate who has realised that UDF is a party that is not individual-based. There is no automatic ticket for anyone but right now it is only him who has declared that he has interest in running for the presidency through UDF,” Mr Limo told the Saturday Nation.

On his part, Mr Hassan said: “Our nomination rules are already with the Registrar of Political Parties and they do not allow for direct nomination,” Mr Hassan said.

Mr Mudavadi joined the UDF on Wednesday and declared that he would seek the presidency on its ticket.

“Members will make the choice from the grassroots regardless of what method we use. We want the leadership that is people owned,” Mr Limo said.