Jameel: PPM leadership had pre-existing plan to oust Yameen

Top leaders of Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) had a pre-existing plan to oust former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom, according to Dr. Mohamed Jameel Ahmed, former Maldivian vice president and Yameen’s lead attorney.

In an interview to Channel 13 on Sunday, Jameel said that the party’s leadership failed to recognize Yameen’s contributions after the PPM-PNC administration assumed office on November 17.

He said that despite Yameen huge contributions and sacrifices, the leadership refused to consult with Yameen in any of the party’s affairs.

“They told President Yameen in clear terms that they do not accept his leadership. That President Yameen isn’t someone who can run the party now,” he said.

Jameel said that appointing people “who the party does not know” to the majority of positions in the administration was “inappropriate.”

He said that the PPM was open to working with other parties, but wasn’t willing to work with Yameen.

“They are fine with MNP, JP or even Adhaalath. Its just President Yameen they can’t work with,” he said.

Jameel accused the PPM leadership of deliberately sidelining and isolating Yameen.

“They sought his opinion on even the most minor of party matters back when he was in prison,” he said, adding that the leadership turned their backs on Yameen, after that.

Yameen said that Yameen will never hinder the President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s administration, but reserves the right to engage in politics.

Rejecting allegations Yameen lacks patience, Jameel said it is the PPM leadership that failed to show any sincerity towards the former president.

Jameel said Yameen decided to create a new political party, the People’s National Front (PNF), in order to maintain his political career after he was denied the chance to run PPM.