The Hassan Adan sub-clan of the greater Ogaden community has endorsed former Ijara legislator Sophia Abdi Noor to contest the Ijara parliamentary seat in the 2027 General Election.
The endorsement followed three days of deliberations and wide-ranging consultations by elders, who said their decision reflected their confidence in Abdi’s leadership.
Speaking after the endorsement in Ijara Sub-County, Abdi called on candidates who were not selected to accept the outcome and support the successful contender for the benefit of the sub-clan and the Ijara Constituency.
Abdi, who was elected Ijara MP in 2017, urged the community to build a strong and inclusive campaign team similar to the one that propelled her to victory in the 2017 election.
Addressing residents at Bulaqoqon on the outskirts of Ijara town, Abdi said she remained confident of reclaiming the parliamentary seat if the community worked together.
“I will be more than willing to share the 2017 victory syllabus, as I still retain the notebooks that carried our winning strategy from the last campaign,” she said.
She, however, cautioned supporters against premature celebrations, saying the journey to securing the parliamentary seat would be challenging.
Abdi appealed to youth, women, and elders to support her campaign strategy and work towards a successful bid in the 2027 elections.
She pledged to promote girls’ education, support orphanage centers, and improve infrastructure, water, healthcare, and education in Ijara Constituency and Garissa County.
She also promised to strengthen social health services and enhance the role of community health workers to improve access to healthcare.
Abdi is expected to face the incumbent Ijara MP Abdi Ali Sheikhow and Bashir Beynah Maktal in the 2027 general election.
By Mohamed Dahir
