President: No point of giving back Nasheed the reins of power

Its evident from history that there is no point of giving back to MDP’s leader and Parliament speaker, former president Mohamed Nasheed the reins of the government, states President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, who is running against Nasheed for MDP’s presidential ticket.

He made the comment during a campaign event in Hulhumale’ on Wednesday.

Speaking at the event, President Solih said that MDP could back Nasheed and reinstall him to power.

But history shows there’s no point of doing that, said President Solih, referring to Nasheed’s short-lived administration back in 2008.

President Solih said that he himself had remained steadfast in fulfilling his duties.

“The streets of Male’ have been made safer. We want to maintain this. We must consider this when we vote in the upcoming MDP primary,” he said.

He also hit back at some of the comments Nasheed made during a campaign tour of B. Hithaadhoo earlier Wednesday.

Nasheed said that it had been he who installed President Solih to power and it would be he who removed him from power.

President Solih responded that power isn’t handed over by someone, but something that Allah grants for hard work and courage.

He said that Nasheed was consumed with nothing but thoughts of returning to power.

President Solih said that the allegation by Nasheed that he would change laws to ensure a third term in office served to show his own obsession with power.

He said that he respects the presidential system in place, and would step down after two terms in office.