SA opposition chief Malema asks Raila not to be ‘power-hungry’
By Martin Oduor, August 23, 2022
Julius Malema, the leader of South Africa’s opposition party Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), has once again called on Raila Odinga to accept defeat in the presidential election.
Malema first asked Raila to concede defeat on August 17, 2022, just two days after Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) chairperson Wafula Chebukati declared William Ruto as the President-elect.
The South African opposition leader opined that presidential candidates in Africa should not relive harrowing past experiences characterized by an election’s aftermath of brutal violence.
Malema says Raila should humble himself
The EFF party leader on Tuesday, August 23, 2022, once again reiterated his message to Raila about conceding defeat.
Malema told the Azimio presidential candidate not to go down in history as one who was desperate for power – the former Prime Minister unsuccessfully contested for the presidency five times.
“Mr. Odinga must humble himself and form part of a government that will address the challenges confronting the people of Kenya, and not allow history to remember him as an individual who was desperate for power, at the cost of the progress of his nation,” Malema said in a tweet.
MALEMA: Mr. Odinga must humble himself, and from part of a government that will address the challenges confronting the people of Kenya, and not allow history to remember him as an individual who was desperate for power, at the cost of the progress of his nation.#EFFPresser
— Economic Freedom Fighters (@EFFSouthAfrica) August 23, 2022
“We call on Mr. Raila Odinga to accept the elections outcome, and not form part of a tradition of causing instability, and uncertainty on African governance,” Malema added.
MALEMA: We call on Mr. Raila Odinga to accept the elections outcome, and not form part of a tradition of causing instability, and uncertainty on African governance. #EFFPresser
— Economic Freedom Fighters (@EFFSouthAfrica) August 23, 2022
The South African opposition leader further revealed that he personally called President-elect William Ruto to congratulate him on his win.
“This morning, I spoke to President-elect William Ruto and congratulated him for winning the democratic elections in Kenya.”
MALEMA: This morning, I spoke to President elect Willian Ruto and congratulated him for winning the democratic elections in Kenya. #EFFPresser
— Economic Freedom Fighters (@EFFSouthAfrica) August 23, 2022
Malema’s hard-hitting message to Raila comes a day after the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Alliance filed a petition at the Supreme Court challenging the presidential results announced by Chebukati.