Nihan: Opposition coalition has collapsed; its all for show now

The opposition coalition made up of former Maldivian presidents Mohamed Nasheed and Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), Jumhoory Party (JP) and Adhaalath Party has collapsed, says Ahmed Nihan Hussain Manik, leader of ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM)’s parliamentary group.

Nihan made the comment in response to a joint statement issued by Nasheed, Maumoon, JP’s leader Qasim Ibrahim and AP’s leader Imran Abdulla last Tuesday night.

Speaking to “Sun”, Nihan said the interviews and statements made by them were all for show, while in reality, the opposition coalition is no more.

“It has collapsed. They are giving interviews and doing whatever else now just for the sake of doing something, to show the people that the opposition is unite,” said Nihan.

Nihan said JP wanted their own presidential candidate, while MDP wanted everyone else in the opposition coalition to support a candidate they produce. He said the opposition coalition will completely collapse the moment any of the opposition parties produces a candidate.

They cannot produce one sole candidate, and they will not be able to support one another, once the candidates’ names are announced,” said Nihan.

Nihan also addressed the comment made by Nasheed last Tuesday that he will beat President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom at the presidential election in 2018 and return the nation to the people.

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Nihan said the people of Maldives realized someone sentenced to 13 years in prison such as Nasheed was not eligible for presidency.

“Nasheed, stop with the pipe dreams. Nasheed cannot compete in the presidential elections in 2018. Nasheed’s name will not be anywhere as a presidential candidate by any political party or coalition,” said Nihan.

He said the only way Nasheed will be able to compete in the election is if Supreme Court rescinds his prison sentence, but that it wasn’t going to happen, no matter how intense the international pressure.

“Maldivian courts will be run within the bounds of Maldivian constitution and Maldivian laws. No foreign state can intervene in the country’s internal affairs. No foreign state will be allowed to intervene in internal affairs. Maldives will be run by Maldivian law,” said Nihan.

He said Nasheed was a fugitive of law. And that he will be arrested and taken back to prison the moment he returns to Maldives.

“The moment he enters Maldivian territory, he will be arrested and taken to prison,” said Nihan.

Nasheed said in Tuesday’s statement that the people of Maldives were at crossroads. He said the people were blindfolded and headed towards a ditch. He vowed to beat President Yameen and return the nation to the people.