Solih says MDP can only move forward united for 2028 under Meekail's leadership

Former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has said the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) must remain united if it is to avoid a repeat of the 2023 presidential election result and mount a successful campaign in 2028, arguing that this can be achieved by electing Galolhu South MP Meekail Ahmed Naseem as the party's chairperson.

Speaking to MDP members in Maradhoo, Addu City, on Monday as part of the party's chairperson election campaign, Solih stressed the importance of unity within the party ahead of the next presidential election.

Referring to the 2023 election, Solih said the MDP entered the campaign period divided, with former President Mohamed Nasheed and his supporters leaving the party to establish The Democrats. He said cooperation between the two sides was further complicated by conditions proposed at the time.

Among the conditions cited by Solih were holding a referendum on changing the system of government to a parliamentary model before the presidential election, conducting the referendum before the inauguration of a new president, and removing three cabinet ministers, including then Finance Minister Ibrahim Ameer.

Despite those challenges, Solih said the party's defeat stemmed largely from its inability to secure victory in the first round of voting and to effectively counter claims made by political opponents during the campaign.

"They claimed ventilators were stolen during COVID-19, that the sea had been sold, and that thousands of Indian soldiers were stationed in the Maldives," Solih said. "We were unable to provide a response to this."

He also rejected allegations that 39,000 MDP members were removed from the party before the election because they supported Nasheed, stating that such claims had since proven to be unfounded.

Solih said responsibility for the election result should not be placed on a single individual, adding that the administration as a whole had failed to respond adequately to the allegations raised during the campaign.

"Certainly, I must take the greatest responsibility for it. I do not deny that," he said.

The former president urged party members and the public to examine political claims carefully and distinguish between fact and misinformation. While acknowledging that people would support different candidates, he said political competition should remain within reasonable limits.

"To prevent a repeat of 2023 and to win the 2028 election, we must move forward with principles that allow everyone to advance together," Solih said.

He added that no one should be sidelined within the party and that the MDP should adopt policies capable of attracting broader support.

"I believe the person who can achieve this right now is Meekail Naseem," Solih said.