Adhaalath Party President Sheikh Imran Abdulla has said a “brutal government will not last for too long” in a tweet this morning.

The tweet follows a statement from the Adhaalath Party last night in which the party said its council has decided to “remain in the path of speaking the truth and calling on the government and state institutions to reform actions that are against the laws and regulations, as well as Islam.”

The party currently holds the Islamic Affairs portfolio in President Abdulla Yameen’s cabinet. The new statement appears to be an indication it might join the opposition Jumhooree Party (JP) and Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) alliance.

Despite the Adhaalath Party’s reluctance, Sheikh Imran has been highly critical of President Yameen following the arrest of former Defense Minister Mohamed Nazim over a controversial weapons find at his apartment during a midnight police raid on January 18.

In an appearance on Villa TV on Tuesday night, Imran said it was time “for the people who value our nation’s freedom and peace to stand up for the country.”