President Abdulla Yameen has said that the opposition will not be able to get on the same boat as they “are all competing for presidency.”

President Yameen made the claim while speaking at a Maldives Development Alliance (MDA) function- to handover party nominations to those running in the 2017 Local Council Elections- held at Dharubaaruge on Sunday night.

President Yameen said that “there is no way the opposition leaders can unite, as they are all vying for presidency.”

He further claimed that the only reason they are united right now “is to be against the government.”

Noting that these opposition leaders come from different views, the President emphasized that “the only reason they have united is to be against the government.”

“There is no way they will remain united afterwards, as all of them are competing for presidency,” added President Yameen.

He further said that his administration “understands and values” the Maldivian people and their sentiments, adding that its focus is “on fulfilling [its] pledges.”

President Yameen also said that the government “strives to instill and maintain a peaceful society,” emphasizing that it “will not allow the safety and security of the people to be jeopardized in any way.”