Former home minister Umar Naseer, who recently announced his 2018 presidential bid, has launched his social media campaign.
He posted a picture on Twitter with his campaign slogan “Hallakee Umar” - literally translated as “Umar is the solution”. This is the same slogan he used back in 2008.
Umar, who is a founding member of Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM), in his message on the picture, says that that PPM was formed solely for the purpose of serving the country and to put the nation before themselves and monetary gains.
He also used an ace of spades in the picture, which is symbolic for former president and leader of PPM, Maumoon Abdul Gayoom. This supposedly signifies that Gayoom is on his side.
Umar is the only candidate who competed against incumbent president, Abdulla Yameen, during the 2013 presidential primary of PPM. The primary campaign saw heated debates between the two, with Umar leveling serious accusations against Yameen.
Umar became the first home minister in President Yameen's tenure, after which, he became one of the first to defend Yameen's actions.
He abruptly resigned from his position on 21st June, and subsequently announced his intention to run in the 2018 presidential elections.