Jubilee Party governor aspirant Suleiman Shahbal at a past event. [Photo/The Star]
Mombasa governor aspirant Suleiman Shahbal has termed the contest for the county's top seat a two-horse race between Jubilee Party and the ODM.
According to Shahbal, his greatest rival is the incumbent, Governor Hassan Joho, the deputy party leader for the ODM.
The Jubilee Party candidate is upbeat of beating Joho come August 8, the Star has reported.
“This will be a two-horse race between ODM and Jubilee. We (Jubilee) are going to win,” said Shahbal on Tuesday.
He also dismissed claims that together with his two other rivals, Hassan Omar of Wiper and Hezron Awiti of Vibrant Democratic Party have inked a deal that will see Joho go home after the polls.
Shahbal was categorical that there was no secret deal they have signed that will see the trio back one of them so as to easily send Joho packing.
“There's no need for any pact. This is a competition and we have nothing to discuss. We shall meet at the ballot,” he told journalists at Tea Trade Centre in Mombasa.
A photo of the three aspirants shaking hands according to the daily has been widely shared on social media.
The JP point-man in the region stated that the last time he met the duo was in 2013 when they were still members of the Kalonzo Musyoka-led Wiper Party.“We haven’t met recently and I’m equally surprised to see the rumours doing rounds,” he said.