Ilyas and Abbas boosted support for JP, says Gasim

Business tycoon and Presidential candidate for Jumhoory Party Gasim Ibrahim has said that he has gained more support since former minister Ilyas Ibrahim and his brother Abbas Ibrahim joined Jumhoory Party.

Speaking to the press in Male’ after concluding a campaign trip to the north, Gasim said that Ilyas and Abbas joined JP after discovering new realities about the party, and have brought new support.

“Honourable Ilyas Ibrahim and Abbas Ibrahim, with Ibrahim Manik and Abdulla Kamaaluddeen, they have done great service to the country. They have connections with a lot of people, a lot of close friends,” Gasim Ibrahim said.

He said that Ilyas Ibrahim and Abbas Ibrahim had both said that they would have alternatively supported former president, and their brother-in-law, Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, if he had stood for elections.

Gasim said that the brothers’ support for JP was proof that he was the next best option to the former president, that it shows public confidence in him, as a truthful and honest leader.

Gasim said that he cannot surely state that JP will win the election through the first round of voting, and said that it was unlikely for any one candidate to secure enough votes to win through the first round. A strategy for a second round will be decided after discussion with party leadership, Gasim said.