Senior PNC members have pushed back against former President Abdulla Yameen’s claim that a secret coup is underway in the People’s Majlis, saying Parliament stands firmly with President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu.

At a PNF rally last night, Yameen said not all PNC members are with the government, and that many within PNC are deeply dissatisfied with Muizzu. In connection with the dollar issue, he pointed to members who trade on the black market and those who obtain dollars by running safaris. He said a very quiet coup is taking place in Parliament and that a shift in the situation will be visible very soon.

Responding on X, PNC Parliamentary Group Leader Ibrahim Falah said: “With talk like that, the 20th Majlis’ term will end before you manage to dissolve it,” adding that Parliament stands very strongly with President Muizzu.

PNC vice-presidential candidate and Baarah MP Ibrahim Shujau also said nothing of the sort described by Yameen is happening in Parliament, and that the unease among MDP members — evident in their statements — exposes a secret relationship between former President Mohamed Nasheed and Yameen. “There’s no need to be upset; we stand very firmly with President Muizzu,” Shujau said. Of the 93 seats in the People’s Majlis, 74 are held by PNC.

There have previously been rumours that some members were looking to distance themselves from the government. Amid reports that a no-confidence motion against President Muizzu was being prepared, the law has been amended so that MPs lose their seats if they leave the party under which they were elected.