Mombasa ODM gubernatorial aspirant Suleiman Shahbal has urged party’s National Election Board (NED) to conduct nominations for governor, senator and MPs.

The aspirant while voting at Tononoka Social Hall urged the party to desist from forcing aspirants to step down for others and instead should give members opportunity to elect their leaders and not use fake opinion polls.

 “What I can tell my party, I will not go for anything less than nominations,” said Mr Shahbal.

The businessman maintained that he will be on ballot come August 9 since he is the most popular ODM Mombasa gubernatorial candidate dismissing rumors that his competitor was recommended to be handed over the ticket.

The businessman urged NED should not interfere with party’s democracy by giving direct ticket to some preferred candidate.

Mombasa ODM senatorial aspirant Hisham Mwidau echoed Mr Shahbal sentiments saying he will not accept to be rigged out by fake polls which were doctored to suit few individuals.

“I am one of the party founders and I am shocked to learn some people were recommended for direct nomination including senatorial position. I will not accept that is why I am requesting for the exercise to be conducted in other elective positions as we have witnessed in the ward representative positions,” said Mr Mwidau.

He added, “We know ODM is a democratic party hence we should let members select their leaders and not through few leaders endorsing who they feel they can work with. I am asking NED to conduct nominations since we still have time before the nomination deadline.”

Last week, the party officials led by Director of Elections Junet Mohamed, ODM Executive Director Oduor Ong’wen and National Elections Board chairperson Catherine Mumma released a list of aspirants proposed for direct tickets on the power of opinion polls.

Mvita MP Abdulswamad Nassir was recommended for governor’s position,  Likoni MP Mishi Mboko and Jomvu MP Badi Twalib were proposed for direct tickets.

Others in Mombasa who were recommended for direct ticket are Changamwe MP Omar Mwinyi, former Kisauni MP Rashid Bedzimba, Senator Mohammed Faki and Nyali parliamentary hopeful Said Abdallah.