Ex-first lady appeals for votes for Muizzu ‘for Yameen’s sake’

Former first lady Fathimath Ibrahim has appealed for votes for the opposition PPM-PNC’s presidential candidate Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, for the sake of her husband, former president Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom, who has been imprisoned for money laundering.

Fathimath made the appeal in a video message on Thursday night.

In her message, Fathimath said the biggest contribution anyone can make to Yameen’s national work is to vote for Muizzu, the candidate he has endorsed.

She said that it will ensure Maldives returns to the hands of the Maldivian people, ensure housing for all, and revive Yameen’s visionary economic policies.

“President Yameen brought speedy development to the Maldivian people that is tangible and beneficial,” she said.

She said that Yameen ran multiple projects, including the development of Hulhumale’ as a youth city, the Hiyaa Housing Project, the Sinamale’ Bridge, the Dharumavantha Hospital, and projects to establish essential services in multiple islands.

“This vote is linked to President Yameen’s freedom. The vote you give to Dr. Muizzu is the best path to ensuring a speedy and fair trial for President Yameen and for him to get saved from this injustice,” she said.

It had been Yameen himself who had originally applied to run in the election on behalf of the PPM-PNC. However, his candidacy was rejected due to his conviction, after which the joint council of the opposition coalition took a vote, which Muizzu won.