The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) move to eject nominated senator Gloria Orwoba has been reversed by the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal, putting the party into fresh political and legal limbo.
On Wednesday, August 20, the tribunal ruled in a statement that the disciplinary action against Orwoba was flawed and failed to go through the proper procedures. The party has since then been ordered to reverse its decision to expel her.
The ruling, however, comes just hours after Orwoba’s replacement, Consolata Nabwire Wakwabubi, was sworn in as a nominated senator. Wakwabubi, gazetted by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) on August 15, was sworn in as office before Senate Speaker Amason Kingi on Wednesday morning.
The development now raises serious questions about the legality of Wakwabubi’s swearing-in, given that the tribunal has nullified both Orwoba’s removal and the subsequent gazettement of her replacement.
Reacting to the decision, Orwoba welcomed the ruling, accusing both UDA and state institutions of acting in bad faith by rushing to swear in her successor while fully aware that the tribunal was set to rule on her case the same day.
“The Political Parties Tribunal has ruled that my removal as a senator is unlawful and unconstitutional. The court has further quashed all decisions and actions, including the Senate Gazette, the IEBC Gazette, as well as the swearing-in of Consolata Wakwabubi,” she said.
She also claimed she has been receiving threats to drop the matter quietly.
“I have received several communications warning me to shut up and let it go. These threats are targeting me and my family, but I will not be silenced,” Orwoba added.
