The opposition is not seeking a new leader for the Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM), says President of Peoples National Congress (PNC), Abdul Raheem Abdulla.

Abdul Raheem took to Twitter on Wednesday, stating that the opposition has not announced a vacancy for PPM's leadership position. Further, he claimed that no single individual can determine whether former President Yameen can or cannot succeed in the next presidential elections.

Despite Abdul Raheem's statement, former President Yameen is currently serving a five-year sentence after being convicted of money-laundering charges. While the police probes additional cases against the former president, Yameen was also taken for police questioning on Thursday.

As such, rumours have surfaced of three separate factions within the progressive coalition who intend to contest the next presidential elections on the PPM-PNC ticket. Additionally, rumours have spread claiming that a number of members from both parties would prefer to abandon Yameen in prison and believe that the former President should complete his sentence.