Maumoon: We haven’t discussed a transitional candidate

The opposition has not discussed choosing a transitional candidate to compete in the upcoming presidential election, says former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom.

Maumoon made the statement in response to a question posed by a reporter after his meeting with opposition parliamentarians, held at Jumhoory Party’s headquarters in M. Kunooz last Monday night.

The reporter had asked for a comment on claims made by government-aligned parliamentarians that former President Mohamed Nasheed’s appeal for the opposition to choose a transitional presidential candidate had created discord within the opposition parties.

Maumoon did not answer the question directly, but said that the opposition had not held any discussion regarding choosing a candidate, and that it was too soon for such discussion.

“We haven’t talked about it. It’s too soon. So, we haven’t talked about it at all. We are discussing what needs our immediate attention,” said Maumoon.

Maumoon said the opposition was conducting its reform agenda with great attention. And that it would be successfully completed soon.

Nasheed had appealed in an audio message to Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) national council members in late October to agree upon a presidential candidate from among the allied opposition movement who will act as a transitional president.

Leader of ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) parliamentary group, Vilimale MP Ahmed Nihan Hussain Manik has accused the appeal by Nasheed to be a ruse to ensure control over the next president.

Nihan said Nasheed himself had claimed to be transitional leader when he assumed office in 2018, but had gone back on his word.

Nihan alleged that Nasheed wanted the former President of Elections Commission, Fuwad Thaufeeq to be chosen as the opposition’s presidential candidate. Deputy Leader of PPM’s parliamentary group, Vilifushi MP Riyaz Rasheed later said the opposition could not agree on Fuwad Thaufeeq, and that Nasheed later nominated former Auditor General Niyaz Ibrahim.