A day after Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir was nominated as one of ODM’s three deputy party leaders, a reconciliatory atmosphere emerged in the Mombasa political landscape. Nassir’s nomination appears to have softened the stance of his previous critics, with Changamwe MP Omar Mwinyi publicly calling for unity and a ceasefire on Saturday.
Once a vocal opponent of Nassir, Mwinyi shared a podium with him at Amani Primary School, where they hugged and laughed together.
This newfound camaraderie also affected Mwinyi’s critic and Nassir’s supporter, Jomvu MP Badi Twalib. Twalib, who had previously defended Nassir and criticized Mwinyi for opposing the governor’s nomination, publicly apologized to Mwinyi on Saturday for labeling him as selfish.
“Mwinyi is my elder. I was angry with him because he had attacked my governor. I will not spare anyone who attacks my governor.
“But today, my governor is on his way to becoming an ODM deputy party leader. So, I ask for forgiveness from Mwinyi,” he said.
Twalib and Mwinyi also publicly hugged and triumphantly raised their hands as a show of unity and solidarity.
Mwinyi said individual differences should not be mistaken for hatred.
He noted some leaders have their stands and cannot be swayed by anyone.
“Some of us have stands,” he said.
He noted that politics is progressive and when one chapter closes, it should not be opened again.
“That chapter (ODM deputy party leader position debate) is closed. Now all should be accountable. If that is done, this Mombasa will be moving forward,” Mwinyi said.
The MP said the public spats between him and Twalib and Nassir should not make their supporters hate each other.
“We are politicians. We say things in public but we know ourselves and out of the public eye, we work together on other crucial matters,” Mwinyi said.
He cautioned their supporters against fighting because of the political leaders.
“Do not fight when you see us attack each other. Sometimes what you see is not what is happening. You will find yourselves hurting each other for nothing in the end because the people you think you are fighting for will hug and drink tea together in Parliament,” Mwinyi said.
Mombasa county assembly speaker Aharub Khatri called on leaders to bury their hatchets saying Mombasa and the Coast in general needs unity.
“Let us not look at 2027 now. Nobody knows who will be alive in 2027, only God knows. We are all leaders and we should set an example,” Khatri said.
Nassir said all leaders should unite adding that the ODM deputy party leader position will not be his should he be confirmed by the party’s National Governing Council and the National Executive Council.
“This position is ours as a party. I will not walk this journey alone. We will all walk together,” the governor said.
He said ODM is a social democracy that believes in the uplift of its people and devolution.
“And this is what we will ensure happens at the grassroots,” Nassir said.
He said he is capable of discharging his duties as the ODM deputy party leader saying he has what it takes to take the party forward and make it one of the best in Africa.
“I was born of Sharif Nassir. A shark is not taught how to swim. A shark cannot give birth to a frog,” he said.
Senator Mohamed Faki thanked the orange party for giving the position back to Mombasa, noting that a big responsibility has been bestowed on Nassir.
“We will help you in your responsibilities to ensure that you succeed both in party duties and your governorship,” he said.
