Nasheed says keeping President Muizzu in power now would be a major loss for Maldives

This is not the time for President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu to be in power and it would be a great loss to keep him in office, former President and opposition MDP Chairman Mohamed Nasheed said Saturday.

Speaking at a press conference in Hulhudhoo, Addu City, Nasheed said the island has not seen any meaningful progress in the past three years since the current government came to power. He noted that while state-owned companies have provided jobs, no efforts have been made to establish industries or create sustainable prosperity for the community.

Nasheed said the government’s policies are harming all Maldivians, including the people of Hulhudhoo. Traders in the island told him that prices of goods have risen between 20 and 30 percent. He attributed the rise in commodity prices to the unresolved dollar shortage and the lack of development projects. Nasheed said there is no point in voting for the ruling PNC, adding that the government’s policies lack direction.

He claimed that the country’s usable reserves are now insufficient to import goods for even two weeks. He also criticised the government’s decision to cancel the tax on foreign tour operators, saying it was done due to pressure from those companies.

އެމްޑީޕީގެ ޗެއަރޕާސަން ރައީސް މުޙައްމަދު ނަޝީދު ދެއްވާ ޕްރެސްއެއް ކުރިއަށްދަނީ

— MDP Secretariat (@MDPSecretariat) October 24, 2026

“I would say this is not the time for President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu to be the President of Maldives. He has to step down. Our country is heading into very sensitive and dangerous situations,” Nasheed said.

Nasheed then highlighted the President’s visit to Pakistan this week. He said the visit has placed Maldives in the middle of the long-standing dispute between India and Pakistan. According to Nasheed, this poses a challenge to Maldives’ security, and if India perceives its own safety being compromised, it could have a severe impact on Maldives.

“Once again, I can say again and again that keeping Dr. Mohamed Muizzu in power now is a huge loss to the people of Maldives,” he said.

Nasheed is in Addu City to take part in campaign activities for the 2026 WDC by‑election in Hulhudhoo.