The main-ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP)'s internal dissenting group, 'Fikuregge Dhirun,' has decided to register as a political party and participate in the upcoming presidential election.
The faction, named after Nasheed's primary campaign slogan, emerged following former President Mohamed Nasheed's loss in the MDP's presidential primary against President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, causing divisions within the party. MDP has experienced escalating discord within its ranks in recent weeks, culminating in 12 MPs loyal to Nasheed leaving the party earlier today. However, Nasheed still remains an MDP member.
At a press conference held this evening, Deputy Speaker of the Parliament and Galolhu North MP Eva Abdulla announced that Nasheed's team intends to register as a political party and compete in the presidential election. However, they did not confirm whether Nasheed would be the party's presidential candidate.
"How can we give an answer that President Nasheed has not given?" Eva said.
Eva said she and 11 MPs, together with the party's Deputy President Mohamed Shifaz and former STO MD Hussain Amr, departed from the MDP due to the government and party's deviation from the party's principles and policies, as well as the lack of opportunities to rectify the situation and hold the government accountable. Their objective is to work independently to address these issues.
When asked about reports of Eva facing impeachment as Deputy Speaker of Parliament, she expressed no concern regarding the matter.
Speaking at the press conference, Hulhudhoo MP Ilyas Labeeb said the team would submit the party registration form next week. He assured that they would soon gather the required 3,000 signatures for official registration as a political party and stated that a Fikuregge Dhirun candidate would participate in the upcoming presidential election.
“I can assure you that a Fikuregge Dhirun candidate will contest the upcoming presidential election,” Ilyas said.
MDP's Deputy President up until his resignation from the party, Mohamed Shifaz, also spoke at the press conference. He told reporters that the Fikuregge Dhirun team's efforts could not be stopped by anyone, and expressed confidence in their calculated endeavors.
