Former Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid, who is contesting for the MDP ticket in the 2028 presidential election, is set to launch the northern leg of his presidential primary campaign this weekend from Kulhudhuffushi in Haa Dhaalu Atoll.

Shahid is scheduled to visit Kulhudhuffushi from the 4th to the 7th of this month. The trip is aimed at officially kicking off Shahid’s presidential primary campaign across the northern regions of the country.

Shahid’s presidential primary campaign was officially launched from Addu City, the largest city in the south. He formally announced his candidacy in the MDP presidential primary for the 2028 presidential election at a special rally held in Addu, where Shahid, who served as the party’s President, made the announcement.

Before declaring his candidacy in the primary, Shahid also resigned from his position as President of the MDP. He stated that he did not believe it would be fair to contest in an internal party election while holding the party’s highest post.

Speaking at the rally in Addu, Shahid said that he would govern as a servant of the people and that his administration would be a simple and modest one. He added that the nation’s welfare and best interests would remain his highest priority.

In addition to Shahid, former MDP Chairperson Fayyaz Ismail is the only other candidate who has so far officially announced his intention to contest in the MDP presidential primary. Former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has also decided to contest in the primary, though he has not yet made a formal announcement.

Political analysts note that Shahid’s decision to launch the northern phase of his campaign from Kulhudhuffushi — one of the most populous cities in the north — after beginning in the south, reflects the significant attention he is giving to securing the support of voters in the northern atolls.