Former President Maumoon Abdul Gayyoom and his spouse Nasreena Ibrahim have left Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM).
The former president has followed his supporters, including Minister of Fisheries, Marine Resources and Agriculture Zaha Waheed, Minister of Housing and Urban Development Athifa Shakoor and daughter of Maumoon, Minister of Arts and Heritage Dunya Maumoon, in leaving the party he founded in 2011. PPM is currently led by his half-brother and former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayyoom.
In a letter sent to PPM, former President Maumoon said the party is run in violation of the charter since October 2016, when he was ousted from the party leadership. However, Maumoon said he was ousted against the party charter and therefore, he does not believe he was ousted from the party.
The former president noted the principles the party was founded are not followed and it brings happiness in quitting from a movement that is not run in the best interests of the Maldivian people.
Earlier this week, Maumoon has announced he will be forming another political party following a Supreme Court ruling stating the leadership of PPM, led by Yameen, is valid.