Addu Mayor calls Nasheed’s chair bid and support for Fayyaz a valuable step for MDP’s political direction

Addu City Mayor Ali Nizar has backed former President Mohamed Nasheed’s decision to run for chairperson of the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), and his support for former Economic Minister Fayyaz Ismail to receive the party’s presidential ticket.

Nasheed announced on Sunday that he will contest the MDP chairmanship and will support Fayyaz’s bid for national leadership.

In a post on X on Tuesday evening, Nizar said Nasheed’s decision to seek the MDP chair and return to active party work is an important step for strengthening the party’s political efforts.

Nizar also described Nasheed’s endorsement of Fayyaz for the MDP presidential ticket as a “valuable” decision, adding that Fayyaz is a capable political leader who can bring major reforms to the country. He said the Maldives faces significant challenges on its path to good governance, especially from political ideologies opposed to the MDP, which he described as autocratic.

ރާއްޖެ ހެޔޮވެރިކަމުގެ މިސްރާބަށް ކުރާ ދަތުރުގައި ގޮންޖެހުންތަށް އެބަހުރި. ހާއްސަކޮށް އެމް.ޑީ.ޕީ އާއި އިދިކީލަ ސިޔާސީ ފިކުރުތަކަކީ ޙުދުމުހުތާރު ވިސްނުންތަކެއް ކަމުން ، އެމް.ޑީ.ޕީގެ ހިންގުން ހަރުދަނާކޮށް އާމިސްރާބަކަށް ދަތުރު ފަށަން ޖެހޭ. މި ނާޒުކު ދަނޑިވަޅުގައި ރައީސް…

— Ali Nizar (@DhekunuNizar) April 21, 2026

Fayyaz and Nasheed, who previously exchanged political criticisms, have been working together for the past year.

At a joint press conference on Sunday, Fayyaz proposed extensive changes to the Constitution and the system of governance. These include separating the roles of head of state and head of government.

He also proposed several changes related to Parliament and independent institutions.

“I support Fayyaz Ismail as the head of government,” Nasheed said at the press conference.

“And I will work first to secure the MDP’s agreement and acceptance for these changes. That is why I intend to run for the MDP chairmanship,” he said.

Nasheed said he is doing so to bring about the necessary positive changes to the Constitution and the system of governance.

He said these reforms should not be delayed until after 2028, and urged President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu to come to the table to discuss them. He also called on the government to introduce the changes immediately through consultation.

However, the President rejected Nasheed’s proposal, saying it was not the responsibility entrusted to him by the people.