Give me one more chance, ex-Wajir governor urges voters

Former Wajir governor Ahmed Abdullahi has said he is still energetic and committed to serve and improve the economic and social well-being of residents.

He said the electorate should give him one more chance.

Abdullahi spoke on Wednesday while addressing his supporters in Wajir.

The former senior advisor to the Treasury CS resigned last month in line with section 43 (6) of the Elections Act.

He said he wanted to concentrate on winning back the seat he lost to Governor Mohamed Abdi in 2017.

Abdullahi said the county executive who succeeded him did not build on the transformational progress he initiated.

He attributed the failure to political squabbles among some of the current leaders, which led to the impeachment of Governor Abdi.

The aspirant however, said residents should not to be discouraged by such setbacks.

He said the new month and year offers residents a new beginning and holds a brighter prospect for all of them.

“On such a month, in March 2013, you voted overwhelmingly to give me the mandate to transform our county and I did just that. This was made possible with the help of my amazing team that acted upon the pledge of service I made,” the former governor said. 

He said it was sad that all those gains were lost in recent years. 

“We have seen the deteriorating situation which our county has found itself in. As one of your own, your welfare is my welfare and we are on the path to restoring hope,” Abdullahi said.

The aspirant who will be vying on an ODM ticket believes his track record and firm leadership will propel him back to the seat.

The race has also attracted incumbent Ahmed Mukhtar and Mohamed Abdi, Senator Abdullahi Ali and former environment CAS Mohamed Elmi.

Other new entrants are Ugas Sheikh and Dr Hassan Mohamed. Both parties are striving to form a line-up that can help put up a formidable challenge.

Wajir has a population of close to 750,000 and 160,000 voters according to 2017 IEBC figures.

The county is inhabited by the Degodias, Ogaden and the Ajuran with the former being the majority.

The Degodias occupy Wajir East, Wajir West, Tarbaj and Eldas subcounties.

The Ogaden are predominant in Wajir South while the Ajuran are found in Wajir North and a small section in Wajir West.

(Edited by Bilha Makokha)