‘Full Confidence’: Solih Endorses Gafoor to Steer MDP Through Turbulence

Former president Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has expressed “every confidence” in Hanimaadhoo MP Abdul Gafoor Moosa’s leadership, congratulating him on his selection as the Maldivian Democratic Party’s interim chairperson in a post on X.

Solih used the social media platform to send “warm congratulations” to Gafoor, saying he had full faith in the veteran MP’s ability to serve as interim chair of the MDP. 

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Warm congratulations to MP Hon Abdul Ghafoor Moosa (@mpgapo) on his selection as interim Chairperson of @MDPSecretariat. I have every confidence that Hon Ghafoor will be highly effective in taking the party forward during this critical period.— Ibrahim Mohamed Solih (@ibusolih) December 8, 2025

Gafoor was elected interim chairperson after the MDP reconvened its National Council last night to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of former economic minister Fayyaz Ismail. Council members selected Gafoor following an earlier, inconclusive attempt to choose a caretaker leader, which had exposed disagreements over procedure and candidate eligibility.

ގައުމީ މަޖިލީހުގެ ތަނަވަސް އަޣުލަބިއްޔަތުން މިރޭ މި ޕާޓީގެ ޗެއަރޕާސަަންގެ މަގާމަށް އިންތިހާބުވެވަޑައިގެންނެވި ހަނިމާދޫ ދާއިރާގެ މެންބަރު @mpgapo އަށް ހޫނު މަރުހަބާއެއް ދަންނަވަން. ކުރިއަށް އޮތް ލޯކަލް ކައުންސިލް އިންތިހާބު ކާމިޔާބު ކުރުމަށާއި އިދިކޮޅު ޕާޓީއެއްގެ ގޮތުގައި ސަރުކާރު…— Fayyaz Ismail (@faya_i) December 8, 2025

In addition to former president Solih, MDP president Abdulla Shahid – who served as foreign minister in the party’s administration – also congratulated Gafoor, along with other senior members of the party.

Congratulations to Hon. Abdul Ghafoor Moosa MP on his role as interim Chairperson of MDP!— Abdulla Shahid (@abdulla_shahid) December 8, 2025

Former chairperson Fayyaz Ismail, whose resignation triggered the leadership vote, likewise pledged his backing to the new interim leader. “I assure you of my full support to CP Ghafoor in winning the upcoming local council elections and in holding the government accountable as an opposition party,” Fayyaz said in his X post.

Former president Mohamed Nasheed also congratulated Gafoor and said he would give his full support to ensure the party’s success in the upcoming local council elections.

MDP ge Vaguthee chairperson MP Abdul Ghafoor ah marhaba. Party ge unity obahattavaa, kuriah mioh local council inthikhaabuga kaamiyaabah vaasilu vaan kuranjehey masahkathuga alhugandu ge hurihaa ehbaarulumeh libeyne.— Mohamed Nasheed (@MohamedNasheed) December 9, 2025

Gafoor, one of the longest-serving figures in the party’s parliamentary group, now faces the task of managing internal tensions while preparing the MDP for upcoming contests, including local council elections and a closely watched Malé mayoral primary. 

After electing to the chair Ghafoor has assured members of the opposition MDP that he will not act under anyone’s influence.