Wajir Governor Abdi appeals High court decision nullifying his win

Wajir Governor Mohamed Mahamud during a recent event at the county. /COURTESY
Wajir Governor Mohamed Mahamud during a recent event at the county. /COURTESY

Wajir Governor Mohamed Abdi has filed an appeal against the High court's decision to nullify his August 8 win.

The governor on Monday said the judgement was controversial and thus, he has many grounds of appeal.

Governor Abdi was the first county chief to lose his seat following a petition filed by former governor Ahmed Abdullahi.

Justice Alfred Mabeya on Friday ruled that Abdi (Jubilee Party) was not validly elected because he did not have a valid degree certificate.

He said Abdi, a former ambassador, failed to prove he had obtained a degree from Kampala University as he had claimed.

Mabeya said that as at September 3, 2014, the governor had not graduated with any degree and "one cannot obtain a Master‘s degree before obtaining a Bachelors degree."

This followed Abdi's claims that he has a Master’s degree in Diplomacy and International Relations.

The judge held that the evidence tabled before the court on claims of irregularities on the face of forms 37A, 37B and 37C was so overwhelming.

He also ruled that the principle of the secrecy of the ballot was violated.

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In his appeal, Governor Abdi says the judge had denied him justice in his ruling.

"I respect the judgement but it was very controversial. As I speak, we have obtained our stay orders as we await a 3 bench judge to listen to our appeal," he said.

"I want to assure the people of Wajir we shall be back to deliver our services as we promised," he told journalists.

Senator Ali Abdullahi Ibrahim said he hopes justice will prevail.

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