Yameen ‘happy’ Solih defeated, but asks Pres Muizzu to ‘revert’ to original pledges

Former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom said on Sunday that he remains happy that President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu foiled former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih’s re-election bid in 2023, and hopes to see him return to delivering his electoral pledges.

Yameen has been deeply critical of President Muizzu’s administration since he left the ruling PPM-PNC coalition less than one week after the incumbent president took office in November 2023 and formed his own party, the PNF.

In a rally held at the PNF office in Male’ on Sunday night, Yameen said he remains happy that the MDP failed to win re-election.

“I continue to be happy that the MDP did not win re-election… I continue to be happy that Ibrahim Mohamed Solih did not win re-election…That wasn’t an example that is easy to accept,” said Yameen, after criticizing the incumbent administration.

“The MDP administration isn’t easy to accept from any angle. They are people who destroyed the Maldives.”

Yameen said he remains happy that a candidate from the PPM-PNC won the election.

But he accused President Muizzu’s administration of following in MDP administration’s footsteps by failing to stop unnecessary spending and wastage.

He asked that the incumbent administration return to its original pledges.

“I ask that he plan his initiatives and revert back to his original word,” said Yameen. “See if he does things for the people after reverting. I will not back an MDP administration.”

Yameen added that he also does not support Jumhoory Party (JP) leader Qasim Ibrahim’s recent remarks.

In a press conference on Thursday, Qasim said that the Maldivian economy remains highly vulnerable – something which he blamed on the actions of consecutive past administrations. He said that any political turmoil at this time would be damaging to the country.

Referring to these remarks, Yameen questioned whether Qasim hasn’t been part of past administrations. He alleged that Qasim was eying the role of Parliament Speaker amid rumors the seat will soon fall vacant.

“He made that promise all of a sudden because he believes the role of Speaker of Parliament is about to fall vacant. These people act as if other people wont look at their history when they make these remarks,” he said.

Yameen said that the people were deeply disillusioned because of the actions of politicians.

He said that the low voter turnout in the local council and women’s development committee by-elections last weekend was evidence of this disillusionment.

“It is regrettable that when the people are disillusioned and turn away due to the actions of politicians, it constitutes to us destroying our own country,” he said.

Yameen has levied deep criticism against the incumbent administration in weekly rallies held by his party.