The family of former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom had supported incumbent President Abdulla Yameen in the party primaries for the previous elections without understanding his character, admitted Yumna Maumoon.

Yumna, Gayoom’s daughter and President Yameen’s niece, said this on RaajjeTV. She is also a former member of the ruling party's council.

She admitted that her family did not 'grasp the truth' behind President Yameen when they supported him in the ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) primaries, even when there were allegations against him back then.

They had thought supporting President Yameen was for the good of the country, she said, adding that a person’s character can sometimes only be revealed after he is given power.