By Azizah Abdullahi

Anti-verdict Fai candidates Ugas Sheikh Mohamed and Mohamed Ibrahim Elmi on Saturday shared a political platform at an event that sparked speculation about possible negotiations over the future of their respective candidacies.

The event, hosted by Capital Markets Authority Chairman Ugas Sheikh Mohamed, was addressed by the former Kibaki-era minister amid political unease within the Fai Nation.

The two politicians, who walked out of the Fai gubernatorial selection process at the eleventh hour, appeared to have found a new point of political convergence, confirming voters’ fears of a possible alliance.

Ever since the Fai verdict, there have been assumptions that the two politicians have been courting each other over a coalition to challenge the verdict and announce one of them as a gubernatorial candidate.

If their speeches at Saturday’s event are anything to go by, the two seemingly incompatible politicians hinted at a formula to front one of them for the top county seat.

Former Minister Elmi announced that they would not run against each other as aspiring governors, implying that discussions were underway for one of them to cede some political ground.

“We have discussed with Ugas that we will not compete against each other for the governorship seat. We have time to discuss about it,” Elmi told the crowd.

The jigsaw puzzle is who will step aside for the other, and at what political cost, amid widespread rumours that the Tarbaj constituency seat is a key point of negotiation.

Addressing a section of citizens, Ugas reaffirmed his commitment to the gubernatorial bid, saying he would remain in the race up to the ballot, while Elmi continued to beat the anti-verdict crusade drum.

“Today marks a defining milestone in our political journey as a community. A moment to turn a new page, renew our shared purpose and reclaim the noble foundation of communal interest,” Ugas said shortly after the event in a Facebook post that also acknowledged Elmi’s presence.

“The road ahead calls for courage, humility and sacrifice. We are ready to swallow the bitter pill, set aside our differences and walk one path for the greater good of our people,” he added.

Some local political analysts have described their political intimacy as a form of ‘united opposition’. However, it remains far from a solid unity, given the well-known hardline characteristics of the two politicians.

Under this arrangement, one of them may have to take a political nap, setting aside their differences and overlooking grassroots dynamics that have long shifted in favour of the verdict candidate, Dr Hassan Fuje.

Defeating Fai’s current political establishment will not be a walk in the park, particularly in the wake of its defeat in the last general election. With both politicians potentially playing the role of spoilers, their political survival hangs precariously in the balance.

Amid the current political turmoil, Elmi may struggle to survive the onslaught against his candidacy. The agile politician, who has always appeared to have an escape route, may have run out of options. He is up against a brick wall.

As for Ugas, the governor that Wajir never had, his strategy appears to have been surrendered entirely to impulses and volatile political theatre. He is taking a radical approach to the contest, one that may cost him dearly and end in premium tears.

A more energetic and seemingly reasonable politician, Ugas needs to pump the brakes for a moment and slow down his attacks against the verdict. Such attacks could further radicalise voters, particularly those from the Fai backyard.

In the long run, it will all boil down to who can secure more votes from the community. As the Balaqley guru once said, ‘Nin Fanini Fool Maleh’, the political tides are growing increasingly abrasive, leaving the two gentlemen caught in the uncertainty of which way to jump.