In a bold political realignment, Wajir Governor Ahmed Abdullahi has publicly thrown his weight behind Mohamed Ibrahim Elmi (Fai), the Chairman of the National Livestock Development and Promotion Service (NLDPS), signaling a significant shift ahead of the upcoming gubernatorial race.
Speaking during a charged Madaraka Day celebration in Tarbaj on Sunday, the Governor told an enthusiastic crowd that his endorsement of Fai is driven by a deep sense of political indebtedness.
“I know Mohamed Fai wants to be the governor,” he declared. “I owe him a debt.”
The statement, which drew loud applause from supporters, was the clearest indication yet of a growing alliance between the two former political rivals.
Fai, a former MP for Tarbaj, ran against Abdullahi in the last general election, making the Governor’s latest move a notable development in Wajir’s political landscape.
Although Governor Abdullahi stopped short of delving deeper into the endorsement, his remarks hinted at a calculated strategy to shape the county’s leadership succession.
At the same event, the Governor issued a stern warning against what he described as incapacitated leaders and political puppets, distancing himself from contenders viewed as lacking independence or capacity to address Wajir’s pressing challenges.
“I will not support a leader who will not benefit the people of Wajir. We have so many problems including incitement, insecurity, drug peddling” he said, in what was widely interpreted as a veiled swipe at his political adversaries.
Governor Abdullahi’s endorsement of Fai, a man he once contested against, marks a turning point in Wajir’s political trajectory. It reflects emerging realignments as the county gears up for a high-stakes election cycle.
With campaign season looming, all eyes will now be on how this newfound alliance unfolds and how other aspirants react to a race that is quickly gaining momentum.
