Monday
23rd Dec 2024
Dhivehi Edition
President Maumoon and President Nasheed. Photo: Addulive.
The 30-year term of His Excellency President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom was succeeded by Maldives Democratic Party (MDP) ticket-holder incumbent Speaker of Parliament and former President Mohamed Nasheed in the 2008 presidential elections.
President Maumoon made a number of serious accusations against Nasheed during the most heated period of the 2008 presidential elections. He claimed that the candidate competing with the MDP ticket is unqualified for presidency.
"The candidate representing MDP is not qualified for the major responsibility of presidency. He does not have the appropriate education. He does not have the capabilities. He does not have the experience. He does not have the appropriate personality. He does not have the appropriate discipline", said Maumoon, criticizing President Nasheed.
President Maumoon further stated that Maldivians are 100 percent Muslim, and Nasheed did not have the ability to protect the Islamic values of Maldives.
"He is associated with foreign organizations. He is affiliated with irreligious, non-Islamic organizations that preach religions other than Islam. They receive money from these organizations, they have sold themselves to foreigners", President Maumoon denounced Nasheed.
Speaking on Nasheed's promise to conduct another election halfway through his term once he is elected, Maumoon stated that Nasheed is a stand-in and that he will be a transitional and temporary ruler.
Despite the grave accusations previously made against Nasheed, President Maumoon and President Nasheed are both participants of the current ruling coalition. Both individuals have even been praising each other.