Umar should gain job experience before contesting in presidential election: Nihan

Vilimaafannu MP Ahmed Nihan Hussain Manik has said that Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) primary election candidate and former Vice President Umar Naseer should find employment at a government office in order to gain experience, before contesting in the presidential election.

Nihan said last night on Sun FM’s Oivaru program that Umar does not have sufficient experience to act as president of Maldives, and that running a country is not the same as running a small business.

“Based on five years’ experiences in politics in Maldives, I need to see Umar hold a job for a while at a senior level in the government - before I can say yes to him. That is, to gain experience. Experience may be gained by sitting somewhere. But in terms of expertise, to provide services at a national level – this is a huge task. By running a small business corporation, or a business, you can’t run a country,” Nihan said.

He said that PPM has individuals who have the capability and experience to lead the Maldives, and that the country is in dire need of a leader who can ensure development amidst the current political turmoil and economic situation.

Nihan said that he does not believe that Umar has the capability and experience to lead the country.

He stressed that people contesting in the presidential election should have experience in the economic sector, and that Umar lags behind in this aspect when compared with PPM primary candidate Abdullah Yameen.

Nihan said that a presidential candidate should hold more than a certificate and have more experience than having been on the streets for a short while.

“We have several people in our party who are capable of acting as president. People who contest in the presidential election should hold more than a certificate. It’s also not enough that they run around on the streets for a short while. Our leader should not be someone who acts like a small monkey that jumps on every person he sees. That opportunity should not be given to anyone. A president should have some dignity and values,” Nihan said.

Nihan said that there is no problem with leaders going to the ‘holhuashi’ (public seat often at the beach) or joking about political issues, but these things should be done within certain limits and in a manner accepted by the Maldivian society.

He urged people to reflect on the experience of the past five years, before electing a new president.