Former President Abdulla Yameen has said that there is no political leader in the country who dares to contest him in an independent presidential election.
Speaking at a gathering at the People's National Front (PNF) office on Sunday, Yameen said political leaders want to hold the presidential election after putting him in jail.
“These so-called politicians, including President Maumoon [Abdul Gayoom]. Why don't they dare to contest me in an independent election?” he said.
Yameen alleged that the 2018 election, which he lost, was "stolen" through India, while President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu won because he was in jail.
He also responded to Youth Minister's Advisor Ahmed Nareesh's remarks that the former president has no political future.
"What Nareesh said is that Ibrahim Mohamed Solih did not want to contest against President Yameen. He was kept in jail. Muizzu does not want to run against him either. True. Muizzu would not want it. Muizzu already knows his true size," Yameen retorted.
The former president, who faces major corruption allegations, said he could be jailed again but warned that his previous convictions were quashed.
He added that the charges against him would not be proved despite the influence exerted by the government. Yameen believes that he will win the support of the people in the 2028 presidential election.
Yameen has previously hinted that he will contest in the next presidential election.
