Yameen empowered to decide PNC’s candidate

The leadership of the opposition coalition, composed of the Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) and People’s National Congress (PNC), have decided to leave it to former president Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom to decide the presidential candidate and running mate of PNC, in case the PPM leader is ineligible to contest the election himself.

Sun is able to verify through credible sources that the PPM-PNC leadership made the decision on Monday.

“The leadership decided to authorize President Yameen with picking PNC’s candidate as well. The leadership will fully support his decision,” said an official from PPM.

Yameen was sentenced to 11 years in prison for money laundering and bribery in connection to the sale of V. Aarah for resort development on December 25, 2022.

The conviction – if not overturned – will disqualify him from contesting the September 9 election.

However, Yameen has signed his candidacy from behind bars, and choose Dr. Mohamed Jameel Ahmed, his top attorney and his running mate in the 2013 election, as his running mate for the upcoming election.

PPM is getting ready to submit Yameen’s candidacy form.

PPM’s secretary-general Mohamed Tholal said the leadership hasn’t decided to have PNC produce its own candidate, and has left the decision to Yameen.

Tholal said the coalition seeks counsel from Yameen in making all major decisions.

However, with the appeal of his conviction stalled, the chances of him being able to qualify for the election is slim. Yameen has asked for a PNC candidate as a “backup”.

PNC was formed during the legal dispute between Yameen and his brother, former president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom over the leadership of PPM.

PNC is headed by former Fonadhoo MP Abdul Raheem Abdulla.