Former President Abdulla Yameen said last night that only Vice President Hussain Mohamed Latheef, Local Government Minister Adam Shareef and MP Ahmed Thoriq among the current Progressive Party of Maldives-People's National Congress (PPM-PNC) leadership worked sincerely while he was in prison.
Posing a question at a People's National Front (PNF) rally, Yameen said he had been very well informed about those who worked in his defence during his imprisonment. Only three officials currently in government worked with loyalty and sincere intentions, he said.
"I believe that the current VP Hussain Mohamed Latheef is someone who worked very sincerely to free me, okay? Likewise, Mahibadhoo MP Tom [Thoriq] was someone who did a lot of work to free me, okay? I don't doubt that, okay? The third person is Local Government Authority Minister Adam Shareef. These are three people who worked very sincerely. From the other people, that was just cosmetic, okay?" Yameen said.
Despite the change in their allegiance and ideology, Yameen said the efforts of those who worked in good faith should be acknowledged.
Before President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu gained the powers of the presidency, the three people praised by Yameen had been noted among his closest confidants.
Vice President Hussain Mohamed Latheef had also been a very close associate of Yameen during his presidency. Adam Shareef had challenged President Muizzu with Yameen's support in the PNC senate primary held to decide the opposition candidate if Yameen remained barred from contesting. He also served as Yameen's Defense Minister.
Thoriq was known as a Yameen ally in the PPM-PNC's internal dispute.
