Amuriat invites Naggayi for talks at Najjanankumbi

Main opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party president Patrick Oboi Amuriat has told Kampala Woman MP Nabilah Naggayi Sempala to come to Najjanankumbi for talks after rejection of her nomination forms for Kampala mayoral race.

Days ago, FDC Electoral Commission (EC) Chairperson Boniface Toterebuka Bamwenda rejected Naggayi’s nomination forms with which she sought the party flag to challenge incumbent Erias Lukwago.

Since then, Naggayi has attacked the party for suffocating women’s voices, surviving on intrigue and ring fencing the lord mayor position for Lukwago, a non-member who enjoys party support.

Naggayi even clashed with FDC secretary general Nandala Mafabi on live TV as the question of the Woman MP’s loyalty to the party came to the fore.

Hopping from media station to station since July 15 when Bamwenda rejected her forms, sparking off a scuffle at Najjanankumbi, Naggayi has battled FDC leaders besides Mafabi.

One of those such media appearances was on Urban TV’s Crossfire. Although show host Patrick Busharizi had invited Amuriat, the party leader didn’t make it to the show.

PATRICK AMURIAT OBOI FOR TALKS WITH NABILAH NAGGAYI

But responding to Naggayi’s claims, Amuriat said the FDC “is firmly rooted on the ground and there should be no cause of alarm by any political player or members of FDC.”

He accused Naggayi of abandoning the party, refusing to make financial contributions, and choosing to discuss her differences with the party in the media.

Amuriat explained that Naggayi was well aware that there is an appeal process she should have followed to raise her disgruntlement with the party nomination exercise.

“She has not exploited that process,” said Amuriat.

He then extended an olive branch to the Kampala mayor hopeful.

“If she really is interested in the flag, let her come to the party on Monday,” said Amuriat.

“We are going to be there waiting for her. Let her put her case to ourselves. But you don’t walk into the FDC as if you are going to the market place; FDC is an organisation.”

He added that extending the deadline for nominations is not upon an individual but the institutions of the party.