Lucy Akello, a retired nurse says the majority of the political leaders they elected in the past have offered them empty promises only to get to the helm of leadership adding that they have never returned to them since being voted.
Andrew Ojok Oulanyah, NRM flag bearer in Omoro County greets an elderly woman in Palaro village in Teolam Parish, Odek Subcounty on his first day of campaigns on Monday.
Voters in
Omoro county have cautioned candidates against making promises that they will not
fulfill once elected into office.
Six candidates are vying for the Omoro County Parliamentary seat that fell
vacant on March 20 following the death of the former MP Jacob L’Okori Oulanyah.
The candidates are Andrew Ojok Oulanyah, the National Resistance Movement-NRM Party Flagbearer, Oscar Kizza, the Alliance For National Transformation-ANT flag
bearer, Simon Toolit Akecha, and the National Unity Platform-NUP flag
bearer.
Others are Forum for Democratic Change Party flag bearer Justine Odong Obiya,
Terrence Odonga, and Jimmy Walter Onen all independent candidates.
The candidates are pledging to improve roads, the health sector, and schools once
elected.
But some electorates doubt if the candidates will be able to fulfill the
pledges.
Lucy Akello, a retired nurse says the majority of the political leaders they
elected in the past have offered them empty promises only to get to the helm of
leadership but varnished without returning to them.
//cue in: “The problem here…
Cue
out:…cannot even get.”//
Akello notes that poor roads and health facilities remain a big problem for the
locals in Omoro for several years.
//cue in: “the road is…
Cue out…just
keep quiet.”//
Justine
Ayot, a mason and resident of Opit Town Council reiterates that candidates use
locals to solicit votes while making huge promises that end up not being
fulfilled. Ayot alleges that some of the candidates are seeking offices to
enrich themselves rather than working for the people to improve service
delivery.
//cue in:
“iya wang pien…
Cue
out:…weng pe iye.”//
Ayot says if
it was possible, candidates should sign a written agreement with their
electorates on the pledges they are making so that in any case they fail to
deliver, they are voted out before ending their terms.
Luo
//cue in: “Gina an aciko…
Cue
out:…tungi dong pe.”//
Samuel Anyon
says that the winner should endeavor to work for the common people by ensuring
that development reaches their area.
Luo
//cue in: “Joni kadi ka…
Cue out:…tic
manongo rwate.”//
Andrew Ojok
Oulanyah, the NRM Flag bearer however says he won’t disappoint his electorates
adding that he will be accountable to them since he is young and a listener. He
says that once elected, he will always return back to the community members to
listen to their problems.
//cue in: “one of the…
Cue out…about
the people.”//
Justine
Odong, FDC Flagbearer on the other hand says that he has held a leadership
position and this gives him a better advantage to represent the people instead
of the state.
He says although it’s been a common practice of leaders, especially MPs to
offer empty promises, he will distinguish himself by ensuring that he fulfills
his promises.
//cue in: “the concern of…
Cue out:...money
people have.”//
Campaigns
for the Omoro county by-election are expected to end on May 24.
