Speaker Among’s opponent kicked out of race for not having a house in Bukedea, Tanga Declares Among unopposed

Hellen Akol Odeke, who had expressed interest in unseating Speaker Anita Among in Bukedea, has been disqualified by the party because she lacks a permanent home in the district.

It means, as far as the party is concerned, Among is their automatic flagbearer in Bukedea in 2026. In 2021, Among was unopposed during the parliamentary election. One of her opponents claimed she had been intimidated into dropping out.

Dr Tanga Odoi, the party’s election chief, told journalists today that after a thorough investigation, the party had discovered that Akol did not own a house in any part of Bukedea, like she had claimed. The complaint was raised by one of the supporters of Among, we have been told.

Odoi said a candidate’s failure to prove that he/she has a permanent place of abode in the area where he/she intends to stand contravened the party constitution.

Anita Among was today officially unveiled as the party flagbearer for Bukedea by Dr Tanga Odoi. She told journalists that it was not a surprise because she has “always been unopposed.”

It is not clear whether the same yardstick has been used for thousands of aspirants who have picked up nomination forms. A senior party official told Bbeg Media that without any complaint from a candidate or their supporter, they can’t investigate.

Akol, we have been told, had claimed that she owned property in Kokonyero village. The investigations showed that she had only recently purchased a piece of land there which she was yet to develop.

In 2016, Akol unsuccessfully contested as an independent for the Kumi woman MP seat.

Among was today officially unveiled as the party flagbearer in Bukedea. She told journalists that it was not a surprise because she has “always been unopposed.”

We were unable to talk to Akol

According to Odoi, the number of people who have submitted nomination papers to contest in the primaries is 2,718, including 2,165 parliamentary candidates, 553 LC5 chairpersons, and mayors.

He also outlined the guidelines to be followed for the CEC position and added that the funds collected will help the party run its activities, including supporting flagbearers in campaigns, paying electoral commission staff, and other party operations.