Meekail Launches ‘Ithubaaru’ Campaign for MDP Chair
One of the MDP’s younger figures, Meekail was first elected to the 19th Parliament for North Galolhu constituency and re-elected to the 20th Parliament. | Photo: IthubaaruPress
Meekail Naseem, MP for Galolhu Uthuru, has officially launched his bid for chairperson of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), unveiling his “Ithubaaru” campaign at a press conference held last night.
The launch was attended by several senior party figures, including Adam Azim and MDP parliamentary group leader Mohamed Naazil. A separate gathering of party members was also held yesterday evening.
Meekail, who first announced his candidacy in November, has called for support from party members, stating his aim to usher in a new generation of leadership within the party. One of the MDP’s younger figures, he was first elected to the 19th Parliament and re-elected to the 20th Parliament.
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
— Meekail Naseem (@MickailNaseem) April 8, 2026
އެމްޑީޕީއަށް މިވަގުތު އެންމެ މުހިންމީ ހަމަހަމަކަމާއިއެކު ޕާޓީ ހިންގަދީ، ވަކިވަކި ފަރުދުންގެ މަސްލަހަތަށްވުރެ އާންމު މެންބަރުންގެ މަސްލަހަތު އިސްކުރާނެ ފަރާތެއް.
ޕާޓީގެ މެންބަރުންގެ އަރިހުން މި އެދެނީ އިތުބާރާއިއެކު އާ ޒުވާން ޖީލަކަށް ފުރުސަތު ދެއްވުމަށް. pic.twitter.com/apNq7Rl4RH
The contest for the chairmanship follows the resignation of former chairperson Fayyaz Ismail. After his departure, the party’s national assembly appointed Abdul Gafoor Moosa as interim chairperson.
However, internal tensions have escalated, with a no-confidence motion submitted against Gafoor, backed by 55 council members. Party rules require a council meeting to be convened to address the motion.
The dispute comes amid a widening rift within the MDP over leadership issues and recent party events, including controversy surrounding a rally held after the party’s victories in the April 4 local council and Women’s Development Committee elections. The motion followed reports that Gafoor declined to allow former president Mohamed Nasheed and Fayyaz Ismail to speak at the event.
Nasheed has also announced his candidacy for party chairperson and has endorsed Fayyaz Ismail as the party’s candidate for the 2028 presidential election.
