MP scoffs at Musalia Mudavadi, Moses Wetang'ula on presidency

ANC leader Musalia Mudavadi (right) and Senate Minority Leader Moses Wetang'ula.

United Democratic Front (UDF) party leader Benjamin Washiali has scoffed at presidential hopefuls from Western for failing to strategise early in the bid to win the presidency.

He said presidential hopefuls from the region opt for last minute strategies and realignments, which for decades have washed away their hopes of clinching the presidency.

He said the declarations by many candidates for the presidency make it hard for the community to be taken seriously as other aspirants perceive them as 'jokers'.

The Mumias East MP asked Amani National Congress (ANC) leader Musalia Mudavadi, Senate Minority Leader Moses Wetang'ula and other presidential hopefuls to embrace the idea of supporting one candidate before it is late.

"Mr Mudavadi, Mr Wetang'ula and Cyrus Jirongo should start plans to field one candidate from the community now. We have no time to make last minute decisions, which haunt the whole community," said Mr Washiali.

Speaking at Bumini in his constituency, he said if the three leaders do not agree to support one candidate, he will take the mantle to lead the community to join the Government in the next election.

He said the community has no intentions of being in the Opposition and it have to fight for a stake in the next Government.

"Nobody from this community is interested in being in the Opposition. If our senior leaders will not agree to unite and support one candidate, then it is clear we will be in the Opposition," he said.

He added: "At rhat point, I will have to take the mandate of taking our people to the next Government. We are tired of being in the Opposition."

Washiali, also the Government deputy chief whip in the National Assembly, revealed that UDF is set to be dissolved to join Jubilee Alliance Party (JAP) saying the party has a post-election agreement with the Jubilee coalition.