Maldivian Socialist Democratic Party Leader Reeko Ibrahim Maniku has said there is no leader like Maumoon Abdul Gayoom and no other party has such a capable and scholarly person. He further said there are no proper opposition parties in the country. Describing Maumoon's 30 years of service, Ibrahim Maniku praised the DRP leader President Gayoom for transforming the Maldivian Society with discipline and values. President Gayoom is a leader who respects others and who has inculcated values in the society. This is seen in the 30 years of Gayoom's presidency, Maniku said.
There are Gayoom's successes and failures, there are people who like him, and people who don't like him, but as a leader he stands above others because of his scholarship and good qualities. He has laid a strong foundation of Islam in the country and during the 30 years of his presidency, every year in the Holy Month of Ramazan, he has delivered very scholarly religious talks in the capacity of the President or in his own personal capacity. But these talks have been of great value to strengthening our Islamic foundations and bondage, Maniku said.
Ibrahim Maniku and his party has been a staunch supporter of President Gayoom and his party. Political opponents have severely criticized Maniku for his lack of vision and patriotism. They also blame him for his hypocrisy. But Maniku said, he is firm and no one can influence him to change his thinking and judgment which is based on principles. When a reporter asked about an allegation made by MDP campaign team visiting Shaviyani Feydhoo, Maniku said MDP is already a flop and there is no point of talking about a flop party.
Maniku's brother Reeko Moosa Maniku who is a very vocal heavy weight in MDP has come back to party meetings after a brief silence. He has made very strong statements about the steady progress of MDP and its continued success as the most effective and powerful political party in the country. Moosa was attacked by his brother Ibrahim Maniku in one of the latter's speeches, Moosa on his part has counter attacked his brother.
Ibrahim Maniku who is a famous astrologer and palmist has earlier said that Gayoom has every chance of winning a new term according to the stars which Maniku says are in favor of Gayoom. Some religious scholars have condemned Maniku for this accusing him of blasphemy.
Maniku was convicted of treason in 1980 when he paid bribes to several members of the Majlis to support him to secure nomination from the Majlis as the presidential candidate. The former Constitution required one presidential candidate to be nominated for election to the post through a referendum of the people.
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