Ugas, Rashid Kassim hold defiance rally in Wajir in disregard of the second verdict

Ugas Mohamed a defiance rally in Wajir town. Photo/ COURTESY

By: Mohamud Almamy

WAJIR—A team made up of previously nominated candidates in Wajir County through clan politics have decided to go against their clan elders and chart their own destiny.

Ugas Sheikh Mohamed who was nominated on 28 July by the Fai Sultanate to contest for the gubernatorial position in the county has told off the Sultan two days after his rival Mohamed Abdi was declared as a replacement in a surprise announcement.

Ugas was accompanied in the rally by his fellow disgruntled Wajir East nominee, Rashid Kassim.

Wajir East hopeful Rashid Kassim held shoulders high at a defiance rally in Wajir. Photo/ COURTESY

The duo say they would go all the way to the ballot while disregarding the second verdict which they said only served the interest of  few individuals.

They added that they were not consulted and would not abide by it.

“Seven months ago, we were declared the nominees for the gubernatorial and Wajir East candidates. What happened to the original verdict,” Rashid Kassim asked.

He called on the resident of Wajir County to support their candidature saying they were replaced through a “coup.”

“Just like the people of Turkey defended their country from the reigns of tyranny, we want you to stand with us and we will deliver your hopes,” Kassim added.

On Saturday evening at a hotel in Wajir, Mohamed Abdi, the serving Saudi ambassador was named as a replacement in fresh verdict that has since divided opinion. Mohamed will face off in the August 2017 polls against the incumbent Wajir County governor Ahmed Abdullahi.

Ugas Mohamed was asked to contest for Wajir East and will replace Rashid Kassim who was announced by the Sultanate to battle it out against Abass Sheikh Mohamed in the earlier verdict.