Nasheed vows to cut support for President Muizzu to 5% and send him ‘home’

Former President Mohamed Nasheed has vowed to cut down President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s popularity to a mere five percent and force him out of office.

Nasheed, who is contesting the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP)’s chairpersonship election, made the remarks during a campaign rally on Sunday night in Thinadhoo City.

Addressing the rally, Nasheed said that President Muizzu’s administration has been taking on more and more traits of former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom’s regime.

He said that the MDP was created to fight against such autocratic abuses, and bring peace and prosperity to the people.

Nasheed, one of the founding members of the MDP which toppled Maumoon’s regime in 2008, accused President Muizzu’s administration of repeatedly targeting and persecuting MDP members.

He said that he finds such tactics, including the suspension of elected officials who hold public office, unacceptable.

“No need to extend your hands to carry out such acts. You need to remain in your size. I will cut down your support to five percent,” he said.

Nasheed characterized obstruction of political work as a “red line”, and that President Muizzu should not have even considered infringing on the right to freedom of assembly and arresting and prosecuting protestors.

“Don’t even think about it. It’s a red line. Do not cross the line. Do not cross it, Dr. Muizzu. I am saying this very nicely. Do not do it,” he said.

Concluding the rally, Nasheed said that President Muizzu will not be able to defeat MDP’s “yellow army”.

He said that the day President Muizzu crosses a red line is the day he gets forced out of office and “sent home.”

Nasheed has increased his criticism of President Muizzu’s administration since its heavy defeat in the April elections. Nasheed stressed that voters have rejected the administration thrice in recent months – in the local council elections, the referendum on synchronizing presidential and parliamentary elections, and in last weekend’s by-election for the North Hithadhoo parliamentary seat.