BUSINESSMAN Suleiman Shahbal, who is planning to run for governor of Mombasa next year, has not yet officially joined the ODM Party, it has been revealed.
Mr Shahbal, who has been organizing numerous rallies in various parts of Mombasa in preparation for the upcoming elections, had left the Jubilee Party a few months ago and announced he would join the ODM.
Since leaving Jubilee, the businessman has been meeting with ODM leader Raila Odinga and also deputy leader Hassan Joho who is the Governor of Mombasa, spitting on the party’s ticket.
“I will soon be accepted as a member of ODM but this is a legal transaction that is still ongoing. We must complete the first step which is to finalize the registrar of political parties, then I can officially turn to being a member of the ODM. I have already started consultations on this issue with ODM leaders nationally and here in Mombasa, ”he confirmed on Thursday in an interview with a local newspaper.
Mr Shahbal is expected to fight for an ODM ticket to run for governor against Mvita MP Abdulswamad Nassir.
Mr Shahbal’s arrival was seen by political analysts ruining the calculation of Mr Nassir who would be in a better position to get a direct ticket to ODM aside and get support from Mr Joho. However, Mr Nassir insists he does not need the support of any political leader as he believes the people will elect leaders on the basis of their performance. The two have been determined to make a name for themselves in ODM’s top leadership.
This week, Mr Shahbal boarded a plane with the East African Community MP, Dr Oburu Oginga who is Mr Odinga’s brother for the Murang’a County occasion.
Mr Shahbal said he attended the ceremony following an invitation from Mr Odinga.
