The national reform movement spearheaded by the opposition coalition is no longer "political" but "national", declared Hinnavaru MP Ibrahim "Ibu" Mohamed Solih, the joint opposition's presidential candidate for the upcoming elections, on Friday night.
He made the remark at the ceremony held at Jumhoory Party (JP)'s main hub 'Kunooz', to celebrate its tenth anniversary, at which MP Ibu was the chief guest.
Speaking at the ceremony, MP Ibu lauded JP's role in the national reform movement spearheaded by the coalition. Regarding JP's founder Qasim Ibrahim who currently resides in Germany under political asylum, and his wife Aishath Nahula who recently ventured into the political field to actively participate in opposition activities, Ibu stated that Qasim's family were making a huge sacrifice.
"From this, I see that what [Qasim] and even we [opposition coalition] are doing is no longer mere political work, but a greater, national effort."
Referring to the past two presidential elections in which JP's coalition partners had succeeded the race for presidency, Ibu stated that whichever side JP chose was imperative in the political scene. He described JP as having one of the best internal democracies, which he said was evident from JP's last congress.
Ibu went on to proclaim that JP had boasted a modern ideology even before the party's conception, highlighting that Qasim Ibrahim had been one of the first to initiate reform work in the Maldives. In his praise, Ibu highlighted that Qasim had chaired the special council put together to compile the new Maldivian Constitution, and that he had been among the first to sign on to create Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), of which Ibu is the parliamentary group leader.
"In this presidential election, Jumhoory Party is in the first row of our coalition. As a result, we will win this election by a huge margin and form a joint government on November 17."
Former Vice President Dr. Mohamed Jameel Ahmed, who resides in the United Kingdom after he was impeached as President Abdulla Yameen's deputy, also participated in the 10-year anniversary celebration of JP.
In his address, he declared that the Presidential Election slated for September 23 was a golden opportunity for Maldivians to regain their lost freedoms and rights, and urged the nation to make use of it.
Jameel proclaimed that Maldivians were eager to establish a community without political discrimination, corruption and disorder, where the judiciary and security forces ensured equal protection of everyone's rights. He said that all of it could be accomplished by voting to elect MP Ibu and his running mate Kaashidhoo MP Faisal Naseem in the upcoming election.
The former vice president declared that the joint opposition's main objective should be to eliminate corruption, protect and secure Maldivian property and state assets, and ensure equal development and progress in every corner of the country.
"Our greatest happiness does not depend on the condition of life in which chance has placed us, but is always the result of a good conscience, good health, occupation, and freedom in all just pursuits," he said, quoting Thomas Jefferson, the third president of the United States.
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