Abdul Raheem Criticises Yameen, Says His Presidency Fell to Arrogance and Corruption

Speaker of Parliament and Chairperson of the ruling People’s National Congress (PNC), Abdul Raheem Abdulla, has criticised former President Abdulla Yameen for repeatedly questioning Parliament’s independence, particularly over his recent remarks referring to the legislative body as a “dog kennel”.

Abdul Raheem condemned the former president’s remarks, noting the irony given Yameen’s own 21-year tenure as a lawmaker before taking office.

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“When the quality of a former head of state degrades to the point where he cannot even bring himself to address the democratically elected President by his official title, it clearly reveals the depth of envy harboring in his heart,” Abdul Raheem said. “What else could this be if not sheer jealousy?”

While stating that he generally preferred not to engage in back-and-forth rhetoric, Abdul Raheem firmly defended the current administration led by President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu.

“President Muizzu’s administration remains strong,” Abdul Raheem emphasised. “It was Yameen’s presidency that collapsed—torpedoed by his own arrogance, spite, and total failure to deliver justice, coupled with rampant cruelty and corruption.”

Abdul Raheem, who also represents Fonadhoo constituency in the Parliament dismissed Yameen’s claims of hidden disloyalty among PNC lawmakers, assuring supporters that the party’s supermajority remains firmly behind President Muizzu—unlike the fragile allegiances that marked Yameen’s own time in office.

“I can assure you that there is no spell, sorcery, or tactic President Yameen can use to cause a rift within the PNC. We stand firmly and sincerely united behind President Muizzu,” Abdul Raheem stated.

He further alleged that Yameen’s ongoing resentment toward senior PNC leadership stems from their active campaign work to elect another candidate to the presidency rather than Yameen himself.