President congratulates opposition’s presidential candidate Ibu

President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom has sent a congratulatory letter to the leader of Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP)’s parliamentary group, MP Ibrahim Mohamed Solih (Ibu) upon winning MDP’s ticket for the upcoming Presidential Elections.

Spokesperson at President’s Office, Ibrahim Muaz Ali announced in a tweet this Monday that Yameen sent a congratulatory letter to Ibu. He provided no details on the contents of the letter.

MDP’s presidential ticket first went to former Maldivian President Mohamed Nasheed, who is considered a fugitive of the State for skipping out on a 13-year prison sentence.

Ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) had appealed to MDP to select another presidential candidate who fit the criteria for a presidential candidate.

During the Extraordinary Congress held by MDP in A. A. Ukulhas last Saturday night, Nasheed surrendered his presidential ticket, and the Extraordinary Congress voted to select Ibu as their presidential candidate.

Yameen, during the function to mark the completion of the coastal protection project in Sh. Bileffahi this Monday, said he hoped the selection of Ibu as MDP’s presidential candidate has eased some of the uncertainty within the party over the restriction on a certain politician from competing in the elections.

“With the peace within MDP, (I hope) it contributes to peace and security within the country,” said Yameen.

Presidential Elections 2018 is scheduled to be held on September 23.

Yameen will be competing for re-election on behalf of PPM, and Ibu, along with a running-mate selected from Jumhoory Party (JP) will be competing on behalf of the opposition.