Mvita legislator, Abdulswamad Nassir, has cautioned his longtime ally and Mombasa governor Hassan Joho, against endorsing his candidature for the gubernatorial seat.
During a rally on Saturday, October 30, the gubernatorial aspirant stated that he was shaking off a project tag that had been labeled to his candidature, explaining that he wanted to run on his development record as a parliamentarian.
The legislator went ahead to state that he had no regrets about being branded as a project of Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader, Raila Odinga, having defended the party on numerous occasions
"I want to tell governor Joho not to meddle in this. Despite your office taking side with one of the sides, we still have faith in you,"
"I am loved by the people of Mombasa that is why they are branding me as a project for Mombasa. If working for the people of Mombasa will earn me political tags, you can continue with the insults," he cautioned.
At the event, the legislator also hit out at his gubernatorial aspirant Suleiman Shahbal, who has previously indicated that he will work with the Raila during the 2022 General Election, for branding his candidature as a project for the ODM party.
"If it is all about being branded as a project, I have no problem being branded as Raila's project because when we were being hit with teargas when defending Raila and being followed by the police for our actions, others were busy getting licenses for their businesses," Nassir asserted.
During a meeting in Mombasa County on October 29, Shahbal had claimed that the Mvita lawmaker was being sponsored by politicians and businessmen in the county.
"Let no one’s project stand for the gubernatorial seat. Nassir is a project for politicians and businessmen. He keeps saying that he is loyal. I have known Raila since 1999. In 2000 we traveled with the ODDM party leader looking for investments in the middle east," Shahbal claimed.
Previously, Nassir who also serves as the National Assembly chairman of the Public Investment Committee was endorsed by a section of ODM parliamentarians who stated that the MP had demonstrated that he was the leader worthy of flying the party’s flag in the race.
On the other hand, Likoni Member of Parliament, Mishi Mboko, defended the candidature of the Nassir stating that he was better placed to win the seat for the party.
"Now that the tenure of Joho is coming to an end, we must be very careful who will replace the governor. Let us focus on the attributes of these leaders. Nassir has made a name for himself even among leaders from other regions. He is a project of Mombasa residents," Mishi stated.
