By Abdullahi Jamaa

Former Wajir gubernatorial running mate Abdi Salel has reaffirmed his intention to run alongside Dr Hassan Mohamed Fuje in the 2027 General Election, signalling a renewed bid by the pair to capture the county’s top leadership positions.

Salel, who was Fuje’s running mate in the 2022 elections, said both intended to contest the same positions again, presenting their partnership as an alternative for voters seeking accountable leadership and improved service delivery.

“In 2022 I was running mate to Dr. Hassan Mohamed Fuje, and he’s still running for the same position, and I’m still running for the same,” Salel said.

He went on to declare his confidence in the ticket, saying: “So I am confirming that Dr. Hassan is the governor to be, and this is his running mate.”

Salel’s remarks amount to a reaffirmation of the political partnership ahead of the 2027 elections.

Making a pitch to residents, Salel said the county needed leadership that was transparent, free from corruption and responsive to public needs.

“If they want a leadership that is transparent, that is corruption-free, that are elderly, that are responsive to the needs and the aspirations of Wajir County, this is where you need to look at,” he said.

His appeal placed accountability and service delivery at the centre of the ticket’s political message, although he did not outline specific policies, projects or commitments that a future administration would implement.

Salel also invoked the pair’s experience during the 2022 campaign, saying they had travelled extensively across the county and gained an understanding of residents’ concerns.

“From our lens, in 2022, we have moved to every settlement, every location of this county,” he said, adding that the campaign had covered communities across Wajir.

He urged voters to give the pair an opportunity to serve for five years, arguing that their understanding of local needs would help them respond to the county’s development priorities.

Salel said the proposed administration would seek to work with communities across Wajir rather than operate in isolation.

“We want to say the idea is to have Wajir and the people who live, work together, not working in isolation, so that we do service to everybody who lives in Wajir County,” he said.

The strength of the Fuje-Salel partnership will ultimately depend on its ability to build a broader coalition and present a convincing programme for governance.

Salel’s declaration makes clear that he intends to maintain his association with Fuje as the two look towards another gubernatorial contest.

Their alliance is touted as one of the strongest in the contest, giving their maturity, integrity and responsibility.

Analysts say, the two men can restore sanity in governance and leadership in the vast county and fast track development to a new level.