Raila’s failed nod leaves Mombasa ODM in a limbo
Harrison Kivisu @wsang08
Anxiety has gripped Mvita MP Abdulswamand Nassir and Mombasa businessman Suleiman Shahbal’s political camps, after Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader Raila Odinga failed to endorse either of them for governor’s post.
Raila, who appeared to play safe, instead, assured the crowd that the ODM party will ensure free and fair party nominations, and allow the people of Mombasa exercise their democratic right to decide their preferred gubernatorial candidate.
Nassir is banking on his loyalty to the party to receive Raila’s blessings while Shahbal is hoping his friendship with the former Prime Minister and his financial muscle will endear him to the ODM leadership.
Political pundits warn any endorsement by Raila, would probably spark divisions between him and his party deputy Hassan Joho. Both Nassir and Shahbal are close friends to Raila and Joho.
Joho’s machinery has recently been associated with Shahbal after Joho’s former political advisor Major (rtd) Idris Abdirahman took his advisory role to Shahbal and it is widely speculated that Joho would endorse him.
Addressed gathering
Raila who addressed a gathering in Mombasa over the weekend failed to succumb to pressure when supporters asked him to endorse Nassir. Instead, the former premier said the party will let wananchi to decide.
“I am a father to all,” Raila told the crowd. He added: “The governorship decision is yours. You will decide who will become governor,” he told the cheering crowd.
His ambivalence has in the process angered Nassir and his supporters in the process. This means the duo will have to argue their case before the electorate.
Shortly after the announcement by Raila, Shahbal declared a bruising battle against his opponent, saying he was going to extend his grassroot campaigns to all Mombasa sub counties.
The businessman, who has cut his niche in the banking sector, appears to have an upper hand after failing twice against Joho.
“Asante Baba, Tukutane Mashinani sasa,Thank you Raila Odinga alias Baba, lets meet the people in the grassroot,” said Shahbal on Sunday.
Another resident Japheth Muli urged Shahbal to stop seeking an endorsement from Raila.
Shahbal contested the Mombasa governorship on a Jubilee Party ticket but was floored by Joho of ODM. He recently announced that he had returned to ODM.
“I like your views towards changing the leadership of this country but please stand as you coz we don’t want that version of endorsement,”Muli urged Shahbal on his Twitter handle on Sunday.
However, Shahbal’s return to ODM has left tongues wagging. With ODM seeking to replace governor Joho with a ODM candidate, political scientists say more serious ground work will be needed to actualise the succession plan.
Political pundits, the party which commands the largest political seats at the Coast, may slowly be losing influence in the coastal region, a place the party has enjoyed strong support in the past three General Elections.
Drifting away
Analyst and Pwani University lecturer Prof Hassan Mwakimako says with the region, is slowly drifting away from the Orange party.
“The ground is gravitating towards new realignments, and ODM is slowly fading out. Any candidate thinking that ODM is till strong, should rethink about new strategies, more so, doing a lot of groundwork,” said Mwakimako.
Nassir who won the post through an ODM party ticket, has been angling for an endorsement from either governor Joho and Odinga.
Kullow Abdullahi, a Mombasa resident, thinks that the ODM leader should back Nassir, for his sacrifice alongside governor Joho in the 2017 General Election campaigns where they stood with Rail Camp.
“He Raila Odinga, (Baba) should learn how to keep his foot soldiers. Joho and his Mombasa team stood with him and it’s time for Baba to return the favour and endorse their favourite candidate,” said Abdullahi.
In the 2017 elections Joho floored Shahbal after garnering 221,177 votes while Shahbal, managed 69,515 votes.
