Three more Male’ City councilors sign with PNC

Three more councilors from the Male’ City Council have signed with the main ruling People’s National Congress (PNC).

In a post on X on Thursday, PNC’s coalition partner, the Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) announced that the three councilors who joined the PNC are:

• Ibrahim Abubakr, West Maafannu constituency
• Mohamed Areesh, Northwest Maafannu constituency
• Aishath Nazima, South Machangolhi constituency

They presented their membership forms to President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, the leader of PNC, on Thursday.

Male' City Council ge council member Ibrahim Aboobakur (maafannu hulhangu) , Mohamed Areesh (maafannu hulhangu uthuru) adhi Aishath Nazima (Machangolhi dhekunu) miadhu vanee PNC aa gulhivadaigenfa
Mar'habaa PNC Raees Dr @MMuizzu
Mar'habaa Coucillors.#DhiveheengeRaajje pic.twitter.com/CWnG7vXW1Q

— Progressive Party of Maldives (@ProgressPartyMV) January 25, 2024

Of the three councilors who joined the PNC, Abubakr had been elected to the council on a PPM ticket. Earlier this month, he signed with the People’s National Front (PNF) – a new party founded by former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom. At the time, Abubakr said he decided to switch parties because though the current administration got elected by using Yameen’s popularity, the former PPM leader continued to be subjected to injustices, instead of being freed from prison as promised.

Meanwhile, Areesh had got elected on a main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) ticket, while Nazima got elected on a PPM ticket.

Earlier this week, Ahmed Rishwan, who got elected to the Central Henveiru seat in the recent by-election on an MDP ticket, also signed with the PNC.

The main ruling coalition now dominates the Male’ City Council, with 16 out of 19 members of the council now with PPM-PNC.