Thursday December 31, 2020
GAROWE (HOL) - Deputy Prime Minister Mahdi Guled has apologised over remarks he made last month suggesting that President Mohamed Farmaajo will win on round one in the upcoming presidential elections.
Addressing the ongoing Forum of Ideas in Garowe, Guled said he was retracting the remarks noting that every candidate had the potential to win the elections.
He added that there was a need for consultations between the government and other stakeholders including opposition groups to ensure ‘everyone gets the chance to participate fairly’.
Guled who has remained deputy prime minister since 2017 and a staunch supporter of Farmaajo attracted rebuke from opposition groups last month after he said the upcoming elections would be ‘easily won by Farmaajo’.
He equated the next elections to the state elections in HirShabelle, Galmudug and South West where government fronted candidates were elected presidents.
“Even if Farmaajo is to be removed from office, said Guled, all parties must be accorded the chance to participate.” He said the ‘stadium is open’ for everyone.