If Ilyas decides to contest in primaries a people will try to tarnish his image- Umar

Umar Naseer, who is contesting in the Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM)’s primary presidential election, has said that if the former Minister during Maumoon Abdul Gayoom’s regime, Ilyas Ibrahim decides to contest in the primary election then there will be a people who will try to tarnish the image of Ilyas.

Umar made this remark in a time when reports have been spread in the local media that Ilyas will be contesting as a replacement of Umar.

“Different groups of people will try to tarnish his reputation if he decides to contest. It is how things work in the politics. But I do not think there would be anything more to say regarding Ilyas,” he said.

Umar Naseer said that his team will work to succeed within the party and then win the presidential election. He said that his team is ready to face any challenges that come in their way. He said that his team will also defend all challenges against Ilyas as well.

“It is not only Ilyas. We will defend everyone who is from our team. We will do it peacefully. As our team are the peacemakers,” he said.

Umar said that his team consists of capable and experienced leaders. He said that if anymore more capable than him decides to run in the primary election than he would step back and support him.