Former Wajir Governor Mohamed Abdi has clarified his political position, dismissing reports linking him to any political team or gubernatorial formation.
Last month, the Fai sub-clan of the larger Degodia community endorsed Hassan Adan as its preferred candidate for the 2027 Wajir gubernatorial contest.
The endorsement was met with opposition from other aspirants, who questioned the process.
In recent months, there has been speculation that Mohamud had joined forces with aspirants who were not selected by the Fai council of elders to form a coalition.
However, the former governor, who served between 2017 and 2022, took to his Facebook page to dispel the speculation, saying he had neither joined nor endorsed any political team or gubernatorial formation involving former leaders and other aspirants linked to the county’s emerging political alliances.
In a statement, he specifically distanced himself from any arrangement.
“For the avoidance of doubt, I am running for the position of governor of Wajir county in the 2027 general election,” he said, in a statement apparently intended to put an end to speculation about his political direction.
Ugas also moved to distance himself from any coalition, saying he was in the race to the end.
“I therefore wish to state clearly, contrary to the rumours circulating, that I remain firmly in the race for the Wajir county governorship. My decision is guided by my belief in my ability, experience and commitment to serve the people of Wajir and deliver meaningful development,” he said.
“I firmly believe that I am best suited to take Wajir county to the next level of development and governance. My commitment is to provide leadership that is inclusive, accountable and focused on improving the lives of our people,” he added.
The clarifications came against the backdrop of an increasingly fluid gubernatorial race and renewed efforts by the Fai sub-clan of the larger Degodia community to rally behind a single candidate.
The Fai community recently concluded an internal process that culminated in the endorsement of Mohamed, popularly known as Fuje, as its sole candidate for the Wajir governorship.
The process had attracted attention because several prominent politicians from the Fai community had initially expressed interest in carrying the clan’s flag.
After months of consultations, however, the elders and delegates eventually settled on Hassan, bringing to an end a process that had been presented as an attempt to avoid a repeat of the political fragmentation that characterised the 2022 election.
The endorsement was formally announced after elders and 56 delegates convened in Wajir, with Hassan receiving the backing of the Fai Sultanate and its leadership. Reports indicate that the process eventually narrowed to Hassan and Hassan Wehliye after some of the other aspirants withdrew.
The decision was followed by criticism, with some of the aspirants questioning the manner in which the selection was conducted.
Former Governor Abdi was among those who criticised the process, while another leading aspirant, Ugas, rejected the outcome and said he intended to challenge it through the appropriate channels.
Official election results from the 2022 Wajir gubernatorial contest show that Abdullahi won with 35,533 votes, while Hassan garnered 27,224, Elmi 21,047 and Ugas 8,086. Mohamud, the incumbent governor at the time, received 521 votes.
The results reflected a contest involving several candidates from different Degodia factions.
It is against this history that the Fai elders embarked on the latest consensus-building exercise, with the aim of rallying behind a single candidate for the county’s top seat.
The Fai sub-clan has significant influence in parts of Wajir, particularly Tarbaj and Wajir East.
Its decision to rally behind a single candidate is expected to feature prominently in the 2027 gubernatorial contest.
