Ex-Pres. Yameen confirms 2028 presidential bid; “I’m in, no doubt”

Former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom has firmly declared his intention to contest in the 2028 presidential election, leaving no room for doubt.

He made these remarks while speaking on RaajjeTV’s ‘Fashaairu’ morning show on Thursday.

When inquired whether he would contest in the 2028 presidential election, the former president first questioned whether he would be incarcerated before the next election takes place.

He stressed that “everyone” is out to throw him behind bars.

Yameen lost the opportunity to contest in the 2023 presidential election as he was incarcerated at the time.

He is currently free, and he says that there is no reason for that to go wrong.

Yameen said that former Vice President Ahmed Adeeb is testifying against him, and that Adeeb has lost his credibility and has been declared an untrustworthy person by all courts.

Therefore, Yameen asserted that Adeeb's statements cannot be accepted without further evidence.

Yameen further stated that if his trials are conducted in accordance with legal procedures and fairness, he believes no sentence will be imposed.

When asked if he would run in the presidential election should no sentence be issued, the former president confidently stated that he would contest “without a doubt.”

Yameen rose to power in the Maldives after a resounding victory over former President Mohamed Nasheed in the 2013 presidential election.

Five years later, he ran for a second term in 2018 to face defeat after competing with former president Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.

He did attempt to run in the 2023 presidential election as well. However, the Supreme Court ruled that he could not contest in the election as he was serving a jail sentence.

Consequently, incumbent President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu contested as the then-opposition candidate in September 2023.