Abdul Raheem labels Waheed as 'vulture' eyeing PPM pres ticket

PPM-PNC interim chief Abdul Raheem Abdulla on Saturday responded to former President Dr Mohamed Waheed’s remarks that he had hoped to get the PPM presidential ticket.

Questioning where Waheed was when the PPM was at its weakest in the last five years, Abdul Raheem said Waheed was only trying to get the ticket.

Waheed has now signed up to JP and is campaigning for the party's presidential candidate, Gasim Ibrahim.

Waheed said he left the PPM because he was denied the presidential ticket. He also criticised the PPM leadership for it on Saturday.

Abdul Raheem responded to Waheed’s remarks at a campaign rally held by PPM-PNC presidential candidate Dr Mohamed Muizz on Saturday in V. Felidhoo.

Abdul Raheem described Waheed as making such remarks to discredit PPM-PNC leader and former President Abdulla Yameen. He said he was concerned about the remarks, although he had respected Waheed in the past.

"Waheed is the one who came to power when this country was in a very critical situation. However, that day has passed and since then we have spent five years in a very depressed and helpless state," Abdul Raheem recalled, of how the then Vice President Waheed took office during the turmoil after then President Mohamed Nasheed resigned on February 7, 2012.

During the last five years when Yameen was in jail and the PPM-PNC was at its weakest, Abdul Raheem questioned Waheed's actions.

"Where was Waheed then? What did he do for the party? What did he do for President Yameen and in his defence?" he asked.

Abdul Raheem said that after being away from the party during those days, Waheed suddenly came on the scene to seek the presidential ticket after the Supreme Court ruled that Yameen could not contest the election.

"He sat in the back seat on the day of the leadership meeting with the Supreme Court verdict. I was surprised. He is not a member of the leadership," he said.

"He sat there and said that he was there too. We are not doubting his existence. Everyone should have some level of shame."

Abdul Raheem repeatedly pointed out that the leadership and members of both parties were in such poor condition that Yameen had to remain in jail for the last five years.

"You say, when [Waheed] has connections, why didn't he use those connections to try to free President Yameen? Where did he go to talk about it? What statement did he issue as a former president?" he asked.

"He hasn't done any of this, and then suddenly he has swooped down on us like an eagle looking for the presidential ticket”.

Abdul Raheem said he was not there to respond to Waheed, but he had to respond to Waheed's remarks because they were "a little too shameless".

Abdul Raheem said Waheed asked for an opportunity to speak on the day of the leadership meeting.

“When he was given the opportunity, [Waheed] said there was no one in this leadership who was more knowledgeable, capable [and] experienced, had more connections and knew how to lead people than he did,” he said.

"I am here, if given the opportunity, ready to come out. I gave Muizz the ministership. Muizz is still too young. So, Muizz and I can reach an agreement”.

Abdul Raheem advised Waheed to not try to discredit the PPM-PNC and instead try to win support for his JP candidate Gasim.

"Don't try to make tall tales in the name of President Yameen. Dr Waheed cannot possibly know Yameen better than me," he said. 

Abdul Raheem said Waheed would not know what Yameen wanted. Muizz's candidacy form was submitted to the Elections Commission with Yameen’s approval, he repeatedly said.

“However, what happened was that Waheed was filling out the [candidacy] form and waiting for President Yameen's signal,” he said.

Abdul Raheem said Waheed called PPM Vice President Gassaan Maumoon that day.

“He called and said that President Yameen had told him to contest,” he said, adding that it was a lie.

Before his now overturned prison sentence over the GA. Vodamulla case in 2019, Yameen spoke of "vultures'. Yameen had urged the party leadership and members to beware of vultures and not allow the party to be destroyed.

Abdul Raheem said he took over with trust in what Yameen had said. And finally, he described Waheed as a "vulture" like Yameen said.

“So, what I have done to President Waheed is what President Yameen asked of us all, to not allow any such vultures to dominate the PPM-PNC,” he said.

"No matter how angry they get, we are ready to elect Dr Muizz."