President Muizzu to receive 2028 PNC presidential ticket without primary: Abdul Raheem

Ruling People's National Congress Chairperson and Speaker of Parliament Abdul Raheem Abdulla has said that the party will not hold primaries to elect a candidate for the 2028 presidential elections. Instead, the ticket will be granted to incumbent President Dr Mohamed Muizzu, he said.

Speaking to media following PNC's internal elections, Abdul Raheem said that the party's regulations say that if a party member is the incumbent president, then they will be granted the ticket for a second term without the need to hold a primary.

As such, President Dr Mohamed Muizzu will receive the party ticket to run for presidency in 2028, he said.

President Muizzu, however, has not yet announced whether he will be running for a second term.

A journalist posed a question to Abdul Raheem, asking if there were political differences between himself and the President. Abdul Raheem responded that he believed that he had not had close ties with President Muizzu before the administration came to office, but added that the relationship is now strengthening day by day.

Another question asked of Abdul Raheem was whether he held any aspirations to rise to presidency, which he summarily dismissed, stating he had no intentions of contesting in any presidential election.

"I have never held aspirations to be President of Maldives. And will not do in the future either. I will not even contest. I will find a way out even if I am given such an opportunity," he said.

Opposition Maldivian Democratic Party Chairperson Fayyaz Ismail also announced yesterday that he will be contesting for the party ticket for the 2028 presidential election.

Former President Abdulla Yameen from People's National Front has also announced that he will be running in the 2028 presidential election.