Can Golhaabo be forced to withdraw from presidential race?

As everyone knows, under the amended constitution ratified last month, no one can seek office for more than two 5-year terms but the Maldives Dictator is hell bent on remaining in office at any cost. He is calling it a new constitution. 

However, he may be in for a surprise as his own brother Abdulla Yameen, head of Peoples Association (PA), is reportedly colluding with several key politicians and trying to take control of the Supreme Court. If that happens, he could very well try to come up with a judgment banning Golhaabo from standing for office this time. According to sources close to Yameen, with Golhaabo out of the picture, the DRP will have to make an alliance with his party and he could declare himself the Presidential Candidate of DRP-PA coalition. The source also said Thasmeen Ali, the current running mate of Golhaabo is a pawn of Yameen, placed there to facilitate his rise to power.

Of course these are just conspiracy theories but pundits say that Yameen may very well be the preferred choice of Golhaabo if he could not stand for office. Also, despite earlier indications from Yameen, he has not yet thrown his hat in to the race. Yameen’s associates say that he has not given up on the idea and has a cunning plan to get what he wants. 

Yameen, left the cabinet about two years ago and formed his own party recently, after running it as just Peoples Association. Some of his colleagues until late have since moved on and joined the party of his rival Qasim Ibrahim, the Republican Party. A few like ‘Underwear’ Nazim is still by Yameen’s side.

The source also said that Yameen has also agreed to join his brother’s cabinet and will take on Finance and Trade under one ministry. Furthermore, his associate ‘Underwear Nazim’ will also join him in the cabinet. 

Looks like the ‘Kaaminee Clan’ isn’t yet ready to give up their stronghold on power without a fight. 

Of course, people like Golhaabo and Yameen should never be under estimated. Nevertheless, one thing is certain this time, that the people of Maldives are going to get a free vote and Golhaabo could be ousted provided the opposition groups unite. 

We will know the outcome in just a few weeks. Golhaabo’s fate could be sealed in the first week of October if elections take place on the 4th as being proposed by the Election Commission.

Source: Dhivehi Observer