MDP Removes Vice Chairperson Ibrahim Waheed Amid Internal Rift Over Rally

The Maldivian Democratic Party has removed Ibrahim Waheed (Ibrey) from his post as vice chairperson following an internal dispute linked to a recent party rally, deepening divisions within the party.

In a letter sent to Ibrahim Waheed by party chairperson Abdul Gafoor Moosa (Gapo), which was shared on social media, he said he exercised his authority to dismiss council members without a general assembly vote. In addition to Ibrahim Waheed, Gafoor also removed the party’s legal director, Ahmed Mauroof, without providing specific reasons for the decision. 

Waheed responded to the termination letter on his X account, saying that acting chair Gafoor had gone “properly mad” in deciding to remove him.

އެމްޑީޕީގެ އަސާސީ ޤަވާއިދާ ޚިލާފަށް އަޅުގަނޑު @MDPSecretariat ޗެއަރޕާސަންގެ ނާއިބުގެ މަޤާމުން ވަކިކޮށްފި ކަމަށް ދެންމެ އަޅުގަނޑަށް އަންގައިފި، @mpgapo ރަނގަޅަށް މޮޔަވެއްޖެ pic.twitter.com/rwBSzBQ74u— Ibrahim Waheed (@ibreys) April 7, 2026

The decision comes in the wake of a rift among factions within the already divided MDP, triggered by controversy over a celebratory rally held after the party’s victories in the April 4 local council and Women’s Development Committee elections.

The dispute centres on allegations that Gafoor did not facilitate speaking opportunities for former chairperson Fayyaz Ismail and former president Mohamed Nasheed at the event.

Sunday’s rally featured speeches from newly elected mayors, party president Abdulla Shahid, and Gafoor. Former president Ibrahim Mohamed Solih was also in attendance but did not address the gathering. A seat had reportedly been reserved for Nasheed but was later removed when it became clear he would not attend.

Responding to criticism, Gafoor said on social media that the speaking agenda had been predetermined and limited to specific officeholders. He later added that both Nasheed and Fayyaz had requested speaking slots and that efforts were underway to accommodate them before “unfortunate rumours” disrupted the event.

However, this account has been disputed by some party members, including Moosa Ali Manik, who publicly challenged Gafoor’s version of events.

Nasheed, posting from an unofficial account, described the rally as having shifted from “a happy night” to “a very sad” one.The latest development underscores ongoing internal tensions within the MDP, as differing factions continue to clash over party leadership and direction.