Former VP Faisal enters MDP presidential primary, intensifying race for presidential ticket

Former Vice President of the Maldives, Faisal Naseem has officially announced his decision to contest the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) presidential primary for the 2028 presidential election, selecting Malé City Mayor Adam Azim as his running mate.

Speaking on RaajjeTV's "Fashaa iru" program, Faisal stated that his decision came after closely observing the political landscape over recent months and holding extensive consultations with senior MDP figures and members of the general public.

With the grace of Allah, I have decided to participate and compete in the upcoming MDP presidential primary for the 2028 presidential election," Faisal announced.

Faisal emphasized that he has received the full support and cooperation of former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih for his campaign. He noted that consulting with Solih was a vital step, highlighting Solih's extensive service and efforts for the Maldivian people during the previous MDP administration. Acknowledging that the path ahead will not be easy, Faisal stressed that he is embarking on this journey with a strong team.

Also speaking on the program, Malé City Mayor Adam Azim praised Faisal as a diligent leader who closely monitored key national development projects, such as the Raajje Transport Link (RTL), on a daily basis during the previous government.

We believed it is very important to have an MDP President and an MDP Vice President in an MDP government. Therefore, I accepted VP Faisal's invitation and am ready to proceed as his Vice President," Azim stated.

Faisal Naseem becomes the fourth candidate to announce a bid for the MDP presidential primary. Previous announcements have been made by former MDP Chairperson Faiyaz Ismail, former Vice President Abdulla Shahid, and Member of Parliament Ahmed Shamheed.