TRANSPORT minister and ODM National Organizing secretary Hassan Joho has refuted claims by a section of party aspirants that some candidates have been given express tickets.

This comes after parliamentary aspirants accused party officials of planning to favour some candidates during the January 10 nominations.

The aspirants from Joho's Kisauni constituency, Changamwe, Jomvu Kuu and Likoni constituencies have threatened to quit the party citing plans to rig the nominations.

Led by Kisauni aspirant Caleb Ng'wena, the group wants IEBC to conduct the nominations. "ODM is saying it will conduct free and fair nominations but we doubt their commitment to do this. Only IEBC can guarantee such," he said.

He said about 150 aspirants and 500 party members will ditch ODM for other parties if the nominations are not free and fair. However, Joho said the claims are 'propaganda'.

He said the party has only 360 delegates and 80 aspirants in Mombasa as opposed to the 150 aspirants claimed by Ng'wena.

"These allegation do nothing but taint our party's image yet ODM is a democratic party and all candidates have equal opportunities and equal rights," Joho said.

He said no ODM official or member will interfere with the nomination process saying the party's commitment to transparency in all its undertakings is full proof.

He urged aspirants to have faith in their party officials saying only Mombasa residents will decide who wins and not the officials.