Meekail Warns Pre-Declared Support Could Divide MDP

MP for South Galolhu Meekail Ahmed Naseem, contesting for the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) Chairperson post, has warned that internal divisions could arise if a candidate who has already pledged support to a specific presidential contender is elected to lead the party.

In a campaign video for the MDP Chairperson election scheduled for 12 June, he made the remarks in reference to former President Mohamed Nasheed, one of the two other candidates contesting for the post.

Nasheed has publicly backed former Economic Minister Fayyaz Ismail as the MDP’s presidential candidate. Fayyaz has also been leading Nasheed’s campaign for the Chairperson election.

MDP Chairperson election 2026

Sallaa #1 – MP @mohamedkudu joins @MickailNaseem for an open conversation on the latest from the #Ithubaaru campaign. addressing key questions, clarifying the facts#Meekail4CP#Ithubaaru pic.twitter.com/KDCf1m4Zsp— Moosa Anwar 🇲🇻 (@moosaanvar) April 24, 2026

Meekail said that if a person who has declared support for a specific candidate oversees the party’s primary, it could influence how members perceive the process.

“Therefore, it is very important in this matter to have someone who has not taken a side and is not standing behind a specific individual,” he said.

He also rejected claims that he entered the race as a proxy for former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.

Meekail said his objective is not to promote a specific individual to party leadership or the presidency, but to return the MDP to power and secure the best outcome for the party.

“MDP consists of 50,000 members. It is not just one member, not just one individual. And MDP is not just the candidates interested in the presidential election. MDP is its general members,” he said.

According to Meekail, supporters of Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, Mohamed Nasheed, MDP President Abdulla Shahid, and former Vice President Faisal Naseem have expressed support for his candidacy.

He attributed this to his neutrality in the contest, stating that backing a specific figure would likely alienate other factions within the party.

“For example, if I wanted to choose President Solih for the presidential election, and if I were standing with President Solih, then the supporters of these other gentlemen wouldn’t support me, would they? If I supported them, these [other] people wouldn’t support me, would they?” he said.

Meekail said unity among party leadership is essential if the MDP is to secure victory in the 2028 presidential election.

“Our party needs to remain united and consolidated together.”

He also highlighted the importance of engaging young voters, noting that those aged between 18 and 34 are expected to make up 40 per cent of eligible voters in the next presidential election. He said youth currently account for about 19 per cent of the party’s membership.

Meekail said the party must strengthen its appeal to young people and increase their representation in leadership, noting that the MDP was originally formed as a youth-driven movement that helped end the 30-year rule of former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom.

“Therefore, I believe that, if we wish to work well to end the current undemocratic rule, the youth should be visible on the front line and in the party’s activities, and I believe this can be done if the youth are present at the front lines of the party leadership as well,” he said.

He added that greater opportunities for youth participation in leadership would encourage more young people to join the party.

The 33-year-old said that even if elected, he would not be the youngest Chairperson in the party’s history.

He also responded to criticism regarding his age, stating that political experience, rather than age, should determine suitability for leadership.

“I don’t believe for a moment that a person’s age is linked to their maturity or experience. A person’s experience should be measured by their political experience,” he said.

“I have 16 years of continuous experience in this, starting from the lowest level up to this point. I have worked here in the MDP, alongside the general members of the MDP.”