Former home minister Umar Naseer has been appointed to the Council of ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM).

He was appointed to the post today, by Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, under the authorities granted to him as the president of the party.

Umar has always been a loyal supporter of Gayoom. After the appointment he took to Twitter, thanking Gayoom and saying that he would work in accordance with the founding purpose of the party.

He was a member of the advisory committee established by Gayoom to aid the PPM reform agenda, but was later dismissed following the announced of his 2018 presidential bid.

Umar, who was the first home minister of the Yameen Administration, resigned from the post in June.

In addition to him, Ahmed Sofwan was also appointed to PPM’s Council on Saturday.

Gayoom is bringing major changes to PPM at a time two factions have emerged within the party. And while President Yameen’s faction is struggling to gain control of the party, those who are vying party tickets for the upcoming local council elections were asked to submit their forms to Fonadhoo MP Abdu Raheem Abdulla, who was removed from the party’s vice president post and the party Council earlier today.