Mvita legislator Abdulswamad Nassir yesterday dismissed questions raised by his rivals about his academic qualifications as a “mere quest for little stardom.”

Suleiman Shahbal and Kisauni MP Ali Mbogo, who are Nassir’s rivals in the Mombasa governor race, recently questioned the validity of Nassir’s degree certificate, after he said he was studying for a Master’s degree.

Shahbal wondered how a person would pursue a Master’s degree before acquiring a Bachelor’s degree.

“I hear that my friend Abdulswamad is studying Masters. But before you study your Masters you must do a Bachelors… lets pray for him. But you should know that the days of forging degree certificates are over,” Shahbal said.

But in an interview with People Daily yesterday, Nassir (pictured) dismissed the duo as “busy bodies” and “enemies of Mombasa” out to seek cheap publicity by invoking his name.

He, declined to comment on the validity of his degree certificate saying he will not waste his time responding to his political rivals because he is only answerable to institutions like the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission.

“I will not play to the tune of clueless competitors who have no plans for Mombasa. My energy will be spent for and on behalf of the people of Mombasa, not the enemies of Mombasa.

Let them sell what it is that they have. I know the reason why they keep on mentioning me is because it is the only time they get media coverage,” he said. 

He asked his competitors to put more effort in selling their agenda so that Mombasa can be treated to a healthy and competitive contest for governor.