Yameen says will contest 2028 presidential election
He added that the strength of his political movement lies in the people and that the PNF, though small, would act as a strong party.
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Former President Abdulla Yameen on Thursday said that his name will appear on the ballot paper in the next presidential election.
Speaking at the first national convention of the People’s National Front (PNF) held at Artificial Beach, Yameen said the party would continue its activities across the country and that he intends to visit Maafushi as part of the campaign, though he would not disembark at the port.
Yameen urged that the charges against him be expedited, saying he hoped he would not have to return to prison and that his lawyers had received assurances to that effect.
“I know what is going on inside the government and Parliament. They are giving the same assurance that President Yameen’s name will not be on the ballot paper,” he said. “Then the ballot paper will not be printed in the Maldives. My name will, hopefully, be on the ballot.”
Referring to the 2023 presidential election, Yameen said former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih had hoped to secure re-election by keeping him in jail.
Yameen also responded to President Mohamed Muizzu’s remarks denying that he came to power by showing Yameen’s image during the campaign, and that Yameen himself had not used the image of his brother, former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, in 2013. Without naming Maumoon, Yameen said, “The person you are referring to did not work for me. He worked for someone else.”
He added that the strength of his political movement lies in the people and that the PNF, though small, would act as a strong party to hold the government accountable and safeguard public interests.
Yameen said the party would expand its work nationwide and expressed hope that its members would prove stronger than their leader.
“We are taking this opportunity to speak for the people at a time when many politicians, elected representatives, and institutions have failed,” he said.
Yameen emphasised that political parties are essential in a democracy as official platforms for collective participation. He said it was more important for a party to have sincere and respectful members.
“I believe those people are in our party,” he said.
He added that the PNF seeks members who will defend the rights of the public. “Even if our party is small, I want all members to have these qualities,” he said. “Our rival political leaders know we are not people who will accept any label or favour in exchange for money.”
