Mombasa businessman turn politician Suleiman Shahbal has been petitioned to rescind his decision and contest as an independent candidate for Mombasa governor.

 Shahbal dropped his bid for Mvita Mp  Abdulswamad Nassir saying that that he resolved to back the lawmaker after the party leadership, led by Raila Odinga, called for consensus-building to ensure ODM retains the ticket.

On Tuesday, Shahbal almost shed tears when he met his emotional congregation of electorates at the Tononoka social hall who demanded him to join the race as an independent.

The supporters kept on chanting his slogan 'Change must come' as they asled him to run for the governor seat as an independent meeting.

https://ommydalla.co.ke/politics/item/2802-shahbal-steps-down-for-nassir-in-mombasa-governor-contest

Some of the speakers who attended the meeting could not hold their tears as the governor candidate delivered the heartbreaking message. Many believed that he was the change that Mombasa deserved.

“We are sick and tired of begging in Mombasa, the county has no development because of poor leadership and implanting of leaders, nothing will change even with Odinga as the president for Mombasa,” said Amina Abdalla, a women rep aspirant.

His running mate Selina Maitha a;sp asked Shahbal to change his mind and go independent. Maitha said many electorates feel betrayed by the decision, and the business man ought to listen to the plight of the majority.

This happens as a group of women, youth and the elderly from Mombasa have embarked on a petition signing to compel Shahbal rescind his decision and vie as an independent candidate.

“We the people of Mombasa County want Change. We believe that Shahbal is the only one with the desire and ability to bring change. We need jobs and a friendly business environment. Your decision to step down for another candidate is not welcome,”said Hamisi Baya, one of those that have signed the petition.

The group has expressed its dissatisfaction with the governor aspirant saying he out to have consulted his supporters before he dropped his bid.

“We commit to supporting you through campaigning for you, voting for you, supporting you financially where necessary, and protecting the votes on the day of the election,”|he added.

Hawa Shafi, another petitioner, said he believed that Shahbal would bring the change that Mombasa has disrespected for the ten years governor Joho has been in power.

“I am a strong believer of positive change, I believe in Shahbal because he is the change we need in Mombasa. I listened to his agendas and felt that he is the solution to our problems,” wrote Hawa in the online petition that has so far received over 1,000 signatures.

Mvita Member of Parliament Abdulswamad Shariff Nassir is now the undisputed Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party flag bearer for the Mombasa gubernatorial race in the August polls.

Nassir was given the party ticket following negotiations that saw his political rival and businessman Suleiman Shahbal drop his bid to support him.