His remarks came hours after several local Somali media outlets reported that the businessman candidate concluded to drop out the presidential race before the vote starts in a bid to shore up the incumbent Somali president’s camp.
By Judy Maina, judy.maina@alleastafrica.com
NAIROBI – One of Somalia’s favorite presidential candidates shot down media reports that he will leave the forthcoming presidential race shortly scheduled to take place on Wednesday.
“Well, that’s simply a false story.” Addow Ali Gees told reporters this evening in the Somali capital.
“They are being used by other elements to spread a false rumor about me – my goal is to lead this country into a prosperous path.” He said.
His remarks came hours after several local Somali media outlets reported that the businessman candidate concluded to drop out the presidential race before the vote starts in a bid to shore up the incumbent Somali president’s camp.
“We must be willing to stand up for this country. They want to get us to sit down and shut up. I don’t think we should sit down and shut up,” Mr. Gees said.
Meanwhile, a recent poll by the African Institute for Political Polling, a political think tank based in Nairobi suggested that the celebrated Somali businessman is one of the candidates favored to win the country’s presidency.
Overall, 24 presidential candidates have registered themselves to run for the country’s top seat.
The vote will come six months after it was originally set for August, following delays in the election of lawmakers because of clan disputes, fraud accusations and organizational challenges.
Despite significant flaws in the election — riddled with claims of vote buying and corruption — it is still widely considered the most democratic voting process to take place in nearly five decades.
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