Some Parliament Members of Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) on Thursday expressed their support for President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom.
This followed an announcement Thursday night by PPM leader – former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom on withdrawing his support to the Government.
Criticising this decision, Deputy Leader of PPM – Fonadhoo MP Abdul Raheem Abdulla said on twitter that the decision will not prompt President Yameen to resign or abandon the country.
Expressing support for President Yameen’s policies, MP Abdul Raheem said that “President Yameen will continue to face all internal and external pressures, and ensure peace, stability and socio-economic development of the nation.”
Secretary-General of PPM – Nilandhoo MP Dr. Abdulla Khaleel said in a twitter post that “the country cannot have two Heads of States at the same time.”
He also called on President Gayoom to step aside from politics.
In a tweet posted following President Gayoom’s decision, Parliamentary Group leader of PPM – Villimalé MP Ahmed Nihan Hussein Manik said only a few of PPM’s lawmakers have backed President Gayoom.
Fisheries Minister Dr. Mohamed Shainee, in a tweet said that “President Gayoom had always vowed to uphold the law and claims to be the pioneer of the new Constitution, but is disregarding the judiciary.”
In another tweet, Dr. Shainee likened President Gayoom’s actions to those of former President Mohamed Nasheed, who he alleged to have “broken the law.”