Former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom has clarified that favouring President Dr Mohamed Muizzu over the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) does not mean endorsing or praising President Dr Muizzu.

Speaking at a PNF gathering last night, Yameen said remarks he made at an earlier gathering had been misinterpreted by some as an indication that he would support President Dr Muizzu over the MDP.

Yameen said he would not support the MDP, arguing that the party had caused significant damage to the country during its two periods in government. He said choosing President Dr Muizzu over the MDP would amount to choosing a lesser loss between two major losses.

He said that although there were issues with the current administration, he did not want to give the MDP an opportunity to return to power. Yameen also urged that his remarks should not be misinterpreted.

Yameen further criticised the MDP, saying the party had not governed in line with democratic principles and was only democratic in name. He reiterated that choosing President Dr Muizzu over the MDP should not be interpreted as an effort to keep President Dr Muizzu in power.