Meekail questions whether Nasheed can maintain unity while dividing top posts in advance

MDP chairmanship candidate Meekail Ahmed Naseem warned on Wednesday evening that the party risks splintering ahead of the 2028 presidential election if key posts are pre‑allocated or divided in advance.

Meekail, who represents Galolhu South in Parliament, made the remarks at a rally held to conclude his Ithubaaru campaign.

He said he is contesting the chairmanship to keep the MDP unified through 2028, something he argued can only be achieved by “honestly accepting the reality of how the party’s political pieces have been placed.”

According to Meekail, around five individuals are already eyeing the party’s presidential ticket, each with significant support within the membership.

In that context, he delivered an indirect response to Nasheed.

“I question whether someone running for MDP chairman can truly maintain unity when he announces beforehand who will be president and who will be prime minister. I don’t believe that is possible,” he said.

“If things continue like this, there is a real possibility that this party’s ranks will break apart again before 2028.”

Meekail reiterated that he would not sideline members who are not aligned with him in the current race. He urged members to elect him chairman, saying he would keep the party’s ranks united until the next presidential election.

His remarks referred to Nasheed’s announcement of his candidacy for chairman alongside his endorsement of former Economic Minister Fayyaz Ismail for the presidency.

On April 19, Nasheed and Fayyaz jointly proposed sweeping constitutional and governance reforms under the banner of Bodu Badhalu. Their proposal includes separating the roles of head of state and head of government.

Under their arrangement, Fayyaz would assume the role of head of government or president, while Nasheed would take a position such as head of state or prime minister.

Nasheed and Fayyaz are campaigning together in the chairmanship race, while former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih is backing Meekail. With the election set for next Sunday, both camps have intensified their campaigns.