Adhurey: I will contest for speakership if Maseeh is impeached

Fonadhoo MP Abdul Raheem Abdulla (Adhurey). (File Photo/Sun/Fayaz Moosa)

Fonadhoo MP Abdul Raheem Abdulla (Adhurey) has announced the intention of contesting for the speakership position at the People’s Majlis if current Speaker Abdulla Maseeh Mohamed is impeached.

Lawmakers submitted a no-confidence motion against Maseeh this Wednesday morning.

Total 51 lawmakers signed the no confidence motion, including several members of Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) and Maldives Development Alliance (MDA).

Adhurey tweeted this Wednesday afternoon that he has decided to contest for speakership if Maseeh is impeached.

Majilis Raees Abdulla Maseeh magaamun beyru kohfinama, Majilis Raees kamah vaadha kuran ninmaifin. @VaguthuOnline @Ch13official @avasmv @Mihaarunews
— Abdul Raheem Abdulla (@Banafsaa) October 24, 2018

The tweet followed comments of endorsements by Naifaru MP Ahmed Shiyam, South Mafannu MP Abdulla Rifau and Kelaa MP Ali Arif who pledged to support him for speakership.

Meanwhile, Jumhoory Party (JP) has announced interest in backing its founder, Qasim Ibrahim as the Speaker of Majlis. No other party has disclosed its opinion on the matter yet.

PPM lawmakers who signed the no-confidence motion against Maseeh:

Thulhaadhoo MP Nazim Rashad
Isdhoo MP Ahmed Rasheed Ibrahim
Fares-Maathodaa MP Hussain Mohamed Latheef
Gadhdhoo MP Ahmed Rasheed
Eydhafushi MP Ahmed Saleem
Vilufushi MP Riyaz Rasheed
Biledhdhoo MP Ahmed Mubeen
Madaveli MP Muaz Mohamed Rasheed
Baarah MP Ibrahim Sujau
Velidhoo MP Abdulla Yameen Rasheed
Maavah MP Ahmed Azhan Fahmy
Dhaandhoo MP Ahmed Assad
Guraidhoo MP Hussain Manik Dhon Manik
Central Fuvahmulah MP Ali Fazaadh

Maseeh is required to respond to the no-confidence motion against him within the next 14 days. A no-confidence vote will be taken only after he responds.

Lawmakers unsuccessfully submitted no-confidence motions against Maseeh two times in the past. The first attempt failed after a roll call vote, and the second time – PPM lawmakers who signed the motion were dismissed from the party.