The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has received backlash after announcing that former Prime Minister Raila Odinga did not apply for its 2022 presidential ticket.
In a statement on Friday, ODM noted that its earlier statement announcing that Raila, Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho and his Kakamega counterpart Wycliffe Oparanya had applied for the party’s 2022 presidential ticket was a prank in line with April 1 which is Fools Days.
“Politics can be serious business. Politics is serious business every day of the calendar. Except April 1st. We took the liberty of joining in the days pranks with our communication yesterday knowing well our friends in media and politics would not know better.
“We see many, especially our political opponents swallowed it hook line and sinker. They came out guns blazing, frothing at the mouth, at an April fools misdirection. You need to lighten up, friends. It's never that serious,” ODM said.
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The party noted that by the end of the application period, only Joho and Oparanya had applied, adding that their applications will be dealt with in accordance to the party Constitution.
“So here is the position. Raila Odinga Did NOT apply for the Party's ticket. His long held position is that he will not discuss 2022 until after the BBI process is done. At the close of the Application period, the Party received only two Applications from Hon. Wycliffe Ambetsa Oparanya and Hon Ali Hassan Joho,” ODM opined.
The new statement has elicited massive reactions with netizens claiming that Sifuna should be careful or he’ll soon lose his job.
Others noted that ODM should stop playing jokes, adding that it is highly likely that Raila will be its candidate in 2022.
Here are some of the reactions:
