I joined the opposition movement to 'right my wrongs': Abbas Ibrahim

Abbas Ibrahim, former minister and prominent figure, has said the incumbent President Abdulla Yameen did not get the party ticket through a primary, but rather through the courts.

He made the statement while speaking at Saturday’s Joint Opposition rally in capital Malé City, where he called on the people to ponder on how the president was chosen as the ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM)’s candidate and how is running mate was picked.

Noting that he took over the powers of the party through the courts, Ibrahim said that Yameen got the party’s presidential ticket ‘through the courts without a primary’.

The recipient of the Honorable Order of Distinguished Rule of Izzudheen, Ibrahim said that the country’s image as a republic has been lost during Yameen’s administration.

Furthermore, he said that what he sees as development is using the talent of skills and talents of Maldivians.

Referring to the recently opened Sina-Malé Bridge, Ibrahim said that the entire project was given to foreigners, built by foreigners and are to be maintained by them and added that ‘this is not development’.

Ibrahim, a close ally of former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, said he joined the Maumoon Reform Movement (MRM) ‘to right our wrongs’.

Noting that he believes it is his national duty to do everything to ensure Joint Opposition candidate Ibrahim Mohamed Solih’s win, Ibrahim said that candidate number two, Solih’s candidacy number, ‘represents victory’.