Nihan: PPM MPs who signed petition will not vote against Maseeh

The nine ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) parliamentarians who signed the petition for a no-confidence motion on Speaker of People’s Majlis, Abdulla Maseeh Mohamed, will not vote against him, and the government has not lost the parliament majority, says Leader of

PPM Parliamentary Group, Vilimale’ MP Ahmed Nihan Hussain Manik.

The petition for no-confidence motion against Speaker Maseeh was submitted to People’s Majlis this Monday with the signatures of 45 parliamentarians.

The nine PPM parliamentarians who signed the petition are:

1. South Machangolhi MP Abdulla Sinan

2. Mahibadhoo MP Ahmed Toriq

3. South Thinadhoo MP Abdulla Ahmed

4. North Fuvahmulah MP Ali Shah

5. North Thinadhoo MP Saudhulla Hilmy

6. Ihavandhoo MP Mohamed Abdulla

7. Dhidhdhoo MP Abdul Latheef Mohamed

8. Dhangethi MP Ilhaam Ahmed

9. Hanimaadhoo MP Hussain Shahudhee.

Nihan spoke to “Sun” and said the opposition gained the signatures of the nine PPM parliamentarians by exploiting their weakness during times they had been discontent over various reasons. He expressed confidence they would not vote against Maseeh when the time comes.

“I don’t know why they signed. And I don’t believe they will give the vote even though they signed it. They gained the signatures by exploiting them while they had been discontent over various reasons,” said Nihan.

Nihan said the PPM parliamentarians who signed the petition pledged their allegiance to the party even last Sunday night.

Meanwhile, the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) Parliamentary Group Leader, Mohamed Solih Ibrahim (Ibu) said during a press conference held by the opposition alliance this Monday afternoon that they had more than the 45 parliamentarians who signed the petition backing them.

This marks the third time for a petition for no-confidence motion against Maseeh to be filed with People’s Majlis. All previous attempts had failed.