Fitte says MDP cannot win the 2028 presidential election without both Nasheed and Solih

The MDP cannot win the upcoming presidential election without either former President Mohamed Nasheed or former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, Vaikaradhoo MP Hussain Ziyad (Fitte) said on Thursday night.

Speaking at the campaign‑closing rally for MDP chairmanship candidate Meekail Ahmed Naseem, Fitte said there are “three things the MDP must do if it wants to win 2028.”

He said the party must remain united, must hold a fair primary, and must elect Meekail as chairman in Friday’s vote.

Although Meekail is contesting against Nasheed, Fitte said his support for Meekail does not stem from a lack of respect or affection for Nasheed.

Indirectly, he said he could not support Nasheed in this election because he had once seen Nasheed leave the party, a reference to the 2023 split, when Nasheed and his supporters left the MDP and formed The Democrats.

The Democrats contested the 2023 presidential election but failed to advance. Nasheed and his supporters rejoined the MDP last year. Many within the party believe Solih’s defeat in 2023 was caused by the division.

Fitte’s remarks suggested that he believes the MDP cannot win the next presidential election without both Nasheed and Solih working together.

“This cannot be done without President Nasheed. That is a fact. And while I dare to say this, the competing side must also say that it cannot be done without President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih either,” he said.

Fitte’s comments come amid an intense contest for the MDP chairmanship, set for Friday. Former Economic Minister Fayyaz Ismail is aligned with Nasheed, while Solih and his team are backing Meekail. Both sides have been campaigning aggressively and trading verbal jabs.