Former Garissa County Governor, Nathif Jama, has picked Abdi Dagane, as his running mate as he seeks to recapture the seat in the August 9th General Elections.
Dagane is the current Deputy Governor for incumbent, Ali Korane.
While making the announcement today during the official launch of his campaigns, Nathif expressed confidence in his choice for Deputy Governor, saying that they had previously worked together in other capacities.
“He has come to us because he has not been given the opportunity to serve the people on the other side, and we believe him. We are going to work together towards forming a government that will benefit the people of Garissa,” Nathif said.
“From here, we are teaming up with other like-minded leaders so that we can unite our people and form a government that will serve them,” he added.
Dagane castigated the current government terming it a ‘failed regime’ that has refused to serve its people.
“I have officially defected with my team of supporters to help Nadhif Jama to form the next government that will serve all the people of Garissa well,” Dagane said.
Area Senator, Abdul Haji, asked the leaders to work together once elected and avoid divisions of any kind that may interfere with service delivery to the residents of Garissa.
“We have a responsibility to make sure that Garissa County is developed, have working healthcare systems, kick out poverty and ensure that our children have access to education,” Haji said.
“We will preach peace. This is our only home. If we want to develop this County and attract investors, we must have a peaceful county,” he added.
The Nathif – Dagane ticket is an alliance of two major clans in Garissa County; the Aullian and Samawadhal whose elders successfully negotiated to have the two vie together.
In the North Eastern region, elders from different clans play a very major role in vetting and endorsing candidates for various cases who in most cases end up winning.
Nathif is running on a ODM ticket and will be facing incumbent Ali Korane who is defending the seat on a Jubilee party ticket and Dekow Mahamed who is running on UDA ticket.