'Loyal' Muizz declares 'unconditional' support to Yameen
The entire party must remain with Yameen as he spends 1,000 days in jail, he said.
By
Fathmath Ahmed Shareef
Vice President of main opposition PPM Dr Mohamed Muizz said on Wednesday evening that he stands with PPM-PNC presidential candidate, former President Abdulla Yameen unconditionally.
The PPM has not determined a replacement candidate, if Yameen is unable to contest the upcoming presidential election due to his jail sentence, However, there are rumours that some senior party leaders, including Muizz, are interested in the party's presidential ticket and are unofficially working to get the ticket.
After days of silence, Muizz responded to the rumours in a video message given via opposition-aligned Channel 13 on Wednesday evening.
In his video message, Muizz said he wanted to clarify the situation and respond to allegations made against him regarding the presidential election.
"There are no conditions to my support for him. I have undivided loyalty to President Yameen," he said, adding that those who question his loyalty to Yameen should answer the question themselves.
The Male mayor said Yameen is in jail because of the presidential ticket handed over to him which is a huge responsibility handed over to him by the party. The entire party must remain with Yameen as he spends 1,000 days in jail, he said.
"We have to give our full support to the presidential ticket we have given to President Yameen. None of us should do anything to obstruct it, challenge it or cast any kind of shadow on it," Muizz said.
He said he would condemn such acts whether they were committed by someone inside or outside the party or someone close to him.
Muizz said he has always liked Yameen. He said he supported Yameen even when he was in the Adhaalath Party and believed that he was the best leader who could serve the country.
He said he would always remember Yameen's guidance and assistance in the political arena. He said he wanted to be behind Yameen even when he lost the 2018 elections and joined the PPM after asking Yameen for it himself. He said made the decision because of his respect and support for Yameen.
Muizz said he campaigned for the post of party vice president at the PPM-PNC Congress and later gave up the opportunity in the interest of the party. Yameen praised the decision, but he later accepted the party's vice-presidentship at Yameen's request, Muizz said.
Muizz gave the message through Channel 13 after canceling a press conference at the last minute.
