People’s National Congress’ (PNC) leader Abdul Raheem Abdulla (Adhurey) speaks at opposition coalition's 'Hope Conference' on February 2, 2023. 

Opposition People’s National Congress’ (PNC) leader Abdul Raheem Abdulla (Adhurey), on Thursday, remarked that imprisoned is not the opposition leader, former President Yameen, but rather the hope of Maldivians for tomorrow.

Speaking at the ‘Hope Conference’ launched by the opposition coalition on Thursday as part of their preparations for the upcoming presidential election – Adhurey said that Yameen remains steadfast in prison, and will not bend his knee in the face of adversity.

He added that Yameen will undertake all efforts to ensure Maldives does not fall into slavery and upholds the nation’s independence without slacking. Adhurey emphasized that Yameen is a political leader connected to the hopes of many Maldivians, describing his imprisonment as the imprisonment of Maldives’ independence and Maldivians’ hope for tomorrow.

“Imprisoned is not President Yameen. Imprisoned is Maldives’ independence. Maldivian youths’ hope for tomorrow. Imprisoned is the vision for the Maldivian nation. The flame of Maldives’ nationality. Tomorrow’s children’s dreams,” he said.

A capture from the opposition coalition's 'Hope Conference' on February 2, 2023

During his remarks, Adhurey also clapped back at the opposition coalition’s competitors. In this regard, he said that they must not presume rumors and allegations would divide the coalition internally, emphasizing their relationship with each other to be much stronger than that.

Adhurey also stated that only Yameen is capable of leading Maldives to the shores of peace from the unrest the island nation is currently battling. He added that Yameen will not conduct himself in a manner that threatens Maldives’ independence in his administration, which Adhurey said Yameen has proven.

‘Hope Conference’ commenced by the PPM today is aimed at preparing for the presidential election by gathering members in one place to regroup in order to move forward with campaign trips and other election-related matters,

The conference is participated by the opposition coalition’s leadership, constituency presidents, vice presidents, women’s wing presidents, youth wing presidents and steering committee presidents.