Faisal eyes MDP presidential ticket, Azim as running mate: Sources
People close to Solih told Dhauru that the former president has not so far decided against contesting the MDP presidential primary himself.
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Former Vice President Faisal Naseem is preparing to contest the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) primary to select its candidate for the 2028 presidential election, according to sources.
There is also growing speculation that Malé Mayor Adam Azim could be Faisal’s running mate if he secures the party’s presidential ticket, with campaign posters featuring the two circulating on social media.
Faisal, however, has yet to formally announce that he will contest the MDP presidential primary.
Sources told Dhauru that Faisal has decided to seek the presidential ticket and that members of his team met former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih on Thursday to seek his support.
Faisal did not attend the meeting as he was outside Malé. Azim was among those who participated.
Others at the meeting included former MDP Deputy Chairperson and Hulhumalé constituency representative Ali Niyaz, former MDP interim Chairperson Abdul Gafoor Moosa, known as Gappe, and former Hoarafushi MP Ahmed Saleem, known as Salle.
People close to Solih told Dhauru that the former president has not so far decided against contesting the MDP presidential primary himself.
Solih has yet to formally announce whether he will seek the party’s presidential ticket.
Faisal served as vice president from 2018 to 2023 during Solih’s administration. His expected entry would add another former senior official of that administration to the contest for the MDP ticket.
Former Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid and former MDP Chairperson Fayyaz Ismail have already announced their bids for the party’s presidential nomination.
South Hulhumalé MP Dr Ahmed Shamheed has also announced that he will contest the primary.
Shahid has been campaigning in the atolls since announcing his candidacy in August. He resigned as MDP president when he announced his bid, saying he did not consider it appropriate to contest an internal party election while holding the party presidency.
MDP Chairperson and former President Mohamed Nasheed has publicly backed Fayyaz’s candidacy. Nasheed has said that if Fayyaz loses the primary, he will support whichever candidate wins the MDP ticket.
The MDP has yet to announce a date for the presidential primary. Nasheed said earlier this month that he believed the primary should be held early next year, after Ramadan, although the decision rests with the party’s National Council.
