Members of Parliament from Acholi, West Nile, and Lango sub-regions have threatened to boycott the elections for the Speaker of Parliament if the Central Executive Committee (CEC) of the NRM fails to nominate the candidates they endorsed for the Speakership. The speakership election is slated for Friday.
On Tuesday, the Acholi Parliamentary Group (APG) endorsed Hon. Hilary Onek, the MP for Lamwo County, for the Speakership race. The group has also endorsed MPs Ojara Martin Mapenduzi, Lillian Aber, and Lamwaka Catherine for the Deputy Speakership.
However, Minister Onek turned down an endorsement from Acholi MPs to succeed fallen Speaker Jacob Oulanyah, saying his family and friends advised him not to stand.
None of the MPs they endorsed picked nomination forms.
Meanwhile, the MPs want the Speaker’s position ring-fenced in relation to the region’s contribution in last year’s general polls.
The Acholi, Lango, and West Nile Parliamentary Group has 102 MPs.
The NRM CEC will hold a meeting today to select the suitable candidates ahead of the caucus meeting on Thursday.