Former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom has said his efforts to return to power are not motivated by financial gain, but by a desire to change the situation in the Maldives.
Speaking at the Thilauthuru Award ceremony held in Haa Alifu Dhidhdhoo, Yameen said he would continue to speak out about the suffering of the people, the failure of institutions to deliver services, and the erosion of public trust.
“Everyone who seeks power has a mindset and a philosophy. Everyone has something to offer the people,” Yameen said. “I do not wish to rule because I want more wealth for myself. If I were seeking financial gain, or if I didn’t have a place to live, then you could question me. But I do not want any of that. What I want is to change the situation of the Maldives.”
Former President Abdullah Yameen Abdul Gayoom arrives in H.A. Dhidhdhoo, October 27, 2025. (Photo/H.A. Atoll Council)
Yameen, who served as president from 2013 to 2018, said he believes that the desire for power is not inherently uncivilized or flawed, it is a means to serve the public. He also claimed that his five years in office were marked by prosperity, citing comparisons and documentation by others who have assessed development across various sectors.
Since his release from prison earlier this year, Yameen has formed a new political party, the People’s National Front (PNF), and has been openly critical of the current administration. Weekly party meetings are held at his residence.
In November 2024, Yameen announced his intention to contest the 2028 presidential election. He said his top priority would be to recover the sea area he claims has been lost under the current government.