Gayoom decides to contest for PPM presidency

Former President, and current Interim President of Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM), Maumoon Abdul Gayoom has decided to contest for PPM presidency, which will take place at the party’s congress next month.

Gayoom announced his decision today at a press conference held at the PPM Office.

Gayoom said that he wishes to remain as the President of PPM to ensure steady progress for the party.

“I will contest for PPM presidency. This party was formed following the work of a large group of people. They continued to allow me to act as their leader. Because I want to do everything I can to strengthen the party and to ensure its progress, if the party members want, I intend to remain as the party President,” Gayoom said.

Gayoom, who served as President of Maldives for thirty years and introduced multi-party democracy in the country, said today that he does not believe that his decision to contest for PPM presidency would obstruct youth who wish to hold leadership positions in the party.

“The party has several posts, not just one. Posts exist for President, as well as Vice President, Council Members, Committees. So young people have several opportunities in this party,” he said.

When asked if he intends to contest in the presidential election, Gayoom did not give a direct answer, but said that the PPM’s presidential ticket will be given to a person who contests in the party’s presidential primary election.

Following his defeat in the country’s first multi-party election in 2008, Gayoom told the media that he would take a step away from politics.

However in a recent special interview to Indian newspaper The Hindu, Gayoom said that he may consider running for President again, and that he has not yet made a final decision on the matter yet.

He said that he has served the country for 30 years and that he feels that the country should now be ruled by other people.

Gayoom said that if he decides to run for President, it will be out of compulsion, and not be his own choice.

Reflecting on his statement earlier that he will not run for office again, Gayoom said that things change very frequently.

“Things change very frequently. So I am keeping my options open,” Gayoom told The Hindu.