Nasheed tells supporters he will back Fayyaz in MDP primary

Former President Mohamed Nasheed has told his supporters that he will back former Economic Minister Fayyaz Ismail in the Maldivian Democratic Party’s (MDP) presidential primary.

Nasheed made his position known during a meeting held in Malé on Tuesday night with his supporters and supporters of Fayyaz.

A person involved in organising the meeting told Dhauru that Nasheed said he would not contest the MDP presidential primary and would instead support Fayyaz.

“Some of President Nasheed’s supporters still believe that he will contest. However, President Nasheed met his supporters formally for the first time last night and made it clear that his support is for Fayyaz,” a person familiar with the meeting said.

The meeting was also held to prepare for the start of Fayyaz’s primary campaign. Fayyaz told supporters at the meeting that he was confident of winning the primary.

Nasheed has previously said on several platforms that he does not intend to contest the MDP presidential primary.

Fayyaz, who served as economic minister under former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, has announced that he will seek the party’s presidential nomination.

Former MDP President and former Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid has also announced his candidacy for the primary.

Solih has also decided to contest the MDP presidential primary, according to the report, although he has yet to make a formal announcement.