President Muizzu's candidate endorsements spark controversy within PPM-PNC ruling coalition

Rumours have sparked discontent within the PPM-PNC ruling coalition, with allegations against President Mohammed Muizzu for promoting his preferred candidates in the forthcoming parliamentary elections, sidelining officially nominated PNC contenders. The controversy focuses on two constituencies, Thimarafushi and Gaddhoo, where discord has emerged over candidate endorsements.

Ibrahim Sanah (Santo), who accompanied President Muizzu to every island during his presidential campaign, was given a PNC ticket to a constituency where no one else contested him. Sanah has not been invited to participate in the president's current visit to Thaa atoll.

Some of Sanah's campaigners have accused the government of supporting Ahmed Riyaz, brother of incumbent MP Abdullah Riyaz. A video is also circulating on social media, giving further credit to the rumors.

The video circulating on social media shows the President's Abdullah Riyaz, who is participating in the provincial tour. Riyaz was accompanied by two ministers in the President's Office, Adam Rameez and Abdullah Naseer. Riyaz's brother Ahmed Riyaz, who is contesting as an independent candidate, was also present at the meeting.

"Then and at the council members meeting, the president will say that he supports Riyaz. Then besides that, I was told to call the other candidate [Sanah] and instruct him to stop everything," Rameez is heard saying in the video.

Rameez said the president had 'given instructions' to him and Abdullah Naseer that the candidate he supported was Ahmed Riyaz.

Ahmed Riyaz was also the State Minister of Education in the last MDP government. He also said that he would deal with matters relating to the Thimarafushi constituency through Riyaz.

Sanah told Atoll Times that he had seen the video too and 'didn't know what was going on'. He is also contesting the PNC ticket at the request of the President, Sanah said, adding that Ahmed Riyaz of the MNP also had the opportunity to contest the primary.

"However, no one contested and I got the ticket. I have received the ticket. No one has asked me to withdraw my name. I am going to contest with my ticket," he said.

Mahmood Shafeeg (Maha) won the PNC ticket for Gaddhoo constituency. On the 5th of this month, the PNC handed him its parliamentary ticket to the constituency.

Sports Ministry Deputy Minister Mohammed Ali has also expressed interest in the primary ticket. However, he did not contest the primary. Thus:

Mahmood Shafeeg, who won the PNC ticket from the constituency, told Atoll Times that he has the full support of President Mohammed Muizzu.

Mahmood Shafeeg also said no action has been taken against Mohammed Ali, who contested the election against the ruling party candidate while in a government position.

He alleged that government ministers are also campaigning for Mohammed Ali.

Sources inside the PNC says that more candidates are likely to contest the parliamentary elections as government candidates with the support of President Muizzu in the coming days.

The PNC could not be reached for an official comment on the matter.