Buikwe South Member of Parliament (MP) Lulume Bayiga has tasked DP Spokesperson, Opio Okoler to make a choice between belonging to them or crossing to National Resistance Movement (NRM).
Appearing on a political show today, 28th, August, 2022, Lulume, a long time Democratic Party (DP) member noted that he holds the Party card, lives and breathes DP, that is why he cannot allow to be homeless politically.
Lulume’s argument comes after a cooperation agreement that was signed last month between DP president Nobert Mao and NRM chairperson, President Yoweri Museveni.
It is from that agreement that saw Mao win himself a juicy position of Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs.
The agreement however did not amuse some DP members who since then have been showing their discontent.
Lulume has today asked the party spokesperson, Opio Okoler to choose between belonging to DP or NRM.
Opio however defended himself noting that he doesn’t even reach Mao’s bedroom.
“I want to first clear the air; I don’t reach Hon. Mao’s bedroom. A situation is being created out of nothing, and the DP legislators should arrest their fears, ” he insisted, adding that the arrangement between DP and NRM is just a cooperation agreement.
He added, “We (DP) are to cooperate with NRM in formulating laws that will usher in a transition government because, like it or not, a transition is coming. The second area of cooperation is moving the country into a national dialogue.”
He however asserted that the members of the Democratic Party will have the liberty to elect their position regardless of the agreement.
Okoler revealed that he was the first person to talk to Mao about the agreement.
“I asked him whether it was true, and he said yes. He told me President Museveni called him a year ago and wanted to offer him a job.”
Okoler also explained to him (Lulume) that, in as much as the President General has signed committing the party, that doesn’t leave members of the Democratic Party without options. There is an alternative of ratification.
Lulume however trashed the explanation insisting that everybody is entitled to saving their political skin.
He propounded, “I was asking the Speaker to intervene to ensure that the Attorney General gives his view on some hanging things, whether we can be bound by an agreement we didn’t consent to.
“The DP political future is on the line. This is the party I know and have promoted. A party of values. We are fighting for it. It can’t die,” he vowed.
Okoler however went ahead to explain more to his counterpart emphasizing that the agreement was not made between the government and DP but rather between NRM and DP.
He contended, “The only difference between Hon. Norbert Mao and Hon. Lulume Bayiga is that they sit in different arms of government.
“Nobert Mao, the President General of the Democratic Party, has not crossed to NRM. Hon. Lulume, you know very well how members of DP lose their membership.”
By Kalamira Hope
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