The opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) will not win the upcoming local council elections if it continues to act divisively over internal disagreements, the party’s interim chairman and Hanimaadhoo MP Abdul Ghafoor Moosa said on Tuesday evening.
Speaking at a rally held at an MDP camp in Male' city, Ghafoor said the party is entering the April elections with strong hopes, but unity is essential to secure victory. He urged members to set aside factional differences and work collectively.
“We have to believe that we cannot win these seats if we act unkindly in instances of differences of opinion. So for the sake of this country, for the sake of our party, in the best interests of the party, we have to work together today,” Ghafoor said.
His remarks come as the MDP continues to navigate internal divisions that emerged during the last presidential election, when factions aligned with former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and former President Mohamed Nasheed clashed.
The tension is reflected in the heated race for the Male' City mayoral ticket, one of the most influential positions in the upcoming elections. Incumbent Mayor Adam Azim is seeking the ruling party’s ticket, while Nasheed is backing his challenger, former MP Ali Azim. The contest has escalated, with both sides trading accusations.
Ali Azim (C), former MDP chairperson Fayyaz Ismail (L) and Mohamed Nasheed (R) at Azim's mayoral campaign rally, December 18, 2025. (Facebook Photo/Hussain Shafiu)
Solih and Nasheed met on December 24 and publicly stated they were putting aside past disputes. Their rift had deepened during the 2023 presidential election cycle, when Nasheed, then Speaker of Parliament, openly criticised Solih’s administration. Relations deteriorated further after Nasheed lost the MDP primary and the government declined to pursue his push for a parliamentary system.
Nasheed later left the MDP with a group of MPs to form The Democrats, which contested the presidential election. After failing to reach the second round, Nasheed chose not to endorse any candidate, a decision many believe contributed to Solih and the MDP’s defeat. Nasheed and his supporters rejoined the MDP last June after expressing support for the current government.
Meanwhile, former MDP chairman Fayyaz Ismail resigned from the post on November 23 last year, though he remains a party member. In his resignation letter, Fayyaz said the rivalry between Solih and Nasheed during the 2023 primary had caused the party to fracture.