Muizzu denies vying for PPM ticket, describes it as plot by rivals

Male’ City Mayor and Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) Dr. Mohamed Muizzu denied rumors he is vying for PPM’s presidential ticket Thursday, describing it as a plot to divide the main opposition party.

PPM’s presidential ticket was awarded to the party’s leader, former president Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom. However, he received an 11-year prison term for money laundering in December 2022, throwing his qualification into question.

Amid the uncertainty, PPM opened an investigation against the Central Henveiru councilor Adam Rameez last Tuesday. Though the party declined to officially confirm the reason for the investigation, it is based on the allegation he is secretly campaigning for Muizzu for the presidential election.

Rameez resigned from the party Tuesday night.

Muizzu told Sun on Thursday that he is not campaigning for the PPM ticket. He described the allegation against him as a plot by his rivals.

He reiterated his support to Yameen, and that PPM’s rivals wish to divide and weaken the party’s lines.

“PPM’s presidential candidate is President Yameen. He will, In Sha Allah, regain his freedom and win the election. These are all plots by those who want to weaken the party’s lines and divide the party. In Sha Allah, their plots will not come to fruition,” said Muizzu, denying the allegation against him.