Amid sharp exchanges, Nasheed says Solih knows the outcome of Friday’s vote

Former President Mohamed Nasheed has said that former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih believes he will win the MDP chairmanship, and that Solih himself told him so.

Solih is backing Galolhu South MP Meekail Ahmed Naseem in Friday’s chairmanship election.

Speaking about the vote on Wednesday evening, Nasheed said he was fully confident of victory. He added that he had no doubt Solih would work with him once he became chairperson.

“President Solih knows that I will win, and he has told me that much himself. He knows I will win,” Nasheed said.

Nasheed said Meekail’s supporters were trying to narrow the vote gap between the two candidates, but insisted Solih also knew that the gap “will not shrink.”

He said Solih was surrounded by individuals who wished to contest the 2028 presidential primary. He listed former Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid, Male' City Mayor Adam Azim, and Hulhumale' South MP Dr Ahmed Shamheed, saying he had heard all three were interested in seeking the MDP ticket.

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Despite the number of contenders, Nasheed said the party’s focus after the chairmanship election must be on strengthening the party and holding the government accountable.

“We should not lose our focus,” he said.

Solih has been active in Meekail’s campaign and has previously taken jabs at Nasheed. He said it was wrong to “go out on the streets and spread your arms” believing only one person can get things done, and wrong to assume that someone without experience cannot.

Solih said the MDP must now create space for new leadership.