Four candidates withdraw from Galmudug presidential poll, accuse FGS of ‘hijacking the process’

Four candidates in the Galmudug presidential race have declared their withdrawal from the polls accusing the Federal Government of hijacking the process.

The four- Abdirahman Odowaa, Kamal Gutale, Abdullahi Farah and Abdi Ahmed said in a joint statement they can no longer participate in the elections slated for January 30. The candidates said the elections were under directions of the Federal Government which it also accused of not taking into consideration the demands of the candidates.

Noting that the presidential elections committee was divided, the candidate said the elections were now managed by one side of the committee allied to the Federal Government.

Alhu Sunna withdrew its six members of the committee Tuesday following disagreements on the election of the committee chairman and deputies. The committee went ahead to announce the elections would be held on January 30.

In the joint statement, the candidates called on the speaker of the new parliament to avoid taking sides and provide leadership for the process.