Mombasa businessman Suleiman Shahbal ditches Jubilee, joins ODM
Former Mombasa gubernatorial candidate Suleiman Shahbal has ditched the ruling Jubilee Party.
In a letter to the party’s Secretary-General Raphael Tuju, the businessman announced his official exit from the party.
He thanked Jubilee Party for offering his support during his tenure as a member of the ruling outfit.
“In exercise of my constitution and legal rights to belong to a political party of my choice and guided by the law through section 14 of the Political Parties Acts, 2011, I wish to resign as a member of Jubilee Party,” he said in the letter.
According to the politician, his exit follows his announcement to join the ODM party that is led by the former Prime Minister.
“I have, today, officially resigned from the Jubilee Party. This follows my announcement to join the ODM party,” he wrote on Facebook.
Shahbal says he is now focused on ensuring the ODM-Jubilee merger is realized adding that he is a chief supporter of the Handshake.
“I will further put my efforts in ensuring the merger between Jubilee and ODM parties is realised. The Handshake spirit is what we all need,” he said.
His exit from Jubilee and subsequent entry to the ODM party is expected to cause political jitters in the Orange camp.
Shahbal who is hoping to get the ODM party ticket in his 2022 gubernatorial bid is expected to face fierce competition from a host of leaders who are also jostling for the same ticket.
Mvita MP Abdulswamad Nassir and Mombasa Senator Mohamed Faki have expressed interest in the seat. The two are currently ODM members.
