- Oparanya said the ODM Party has measures in place to strengthen it.
- On March 1, Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa endorsed Oparanya for the ODM party leader position.
Image: FILE
ODM Deputy Party Leader Wycliffe Oparanya has said he would want to be Raila’s Successor but through the normal voting procedure.
Speaking during an interview on KTN on Thursday, he said it is not Raila who will decide who succeeds him but the people's vote.
“When Raila leaves, there is no automatic succession. I would want to become his successor but through the normal procedure; people must vote for me to be the successor,” he said.
On being asked about the most difficult part for the ODM fraternity if Raila moves on once he gets the AU position, Oparanya said the party has measures in place to strengthen it.
“We know that he can move on, he’s not a stone. But what we are doing now and tomorrow is strengthening the party. We have proper structures that we leave beyond us.”
He said that ODM needs to be strong like the ANC (African National Congress) party of South Africa and CCM (Chama Cha Mapinduzi) of Tanzania that even if the founder is not there, the party can still win the Presidential elections.
"We want young people and women to come to the party so it remains strong. If a leader passes on, then the party continues," he said.
Days after ODM party leader Raila Odinga announced his bid for the AU Chairmanship quest on February 15, there were concerns about who would fill the shoe.
This was after a debate concerning the collapse of ODM as soon as Raila gets the job.
However, Raila in a press statement assured Kenyans of his presence even when he gets the AUC top job.
“I am not going away. Addis Ababa is only two hours away from Nairobi. I am available, whenever I am called, I will answer. I am ready to work with you people,” he said.
On March 1, Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa endorsed Oparanya for the ODM party leader position.
He said Oparanya was the rightful leader to succeed Raila once he gets the Africa Union Commission chairmanship.
“As leaders from the Western region and ODM party leaders, we’ll continue supporting Raila’s quest of being the chairman of the AU Commission,” he said.
“Baba should know we are behind him 100 per cent, we’ll keep praying for you, and if he goes to the AU the only loyal deputy party leader whom we want to inherit his position as the ODM party leader is none other than Wycliffe Ambetsa Oparanya.”