Within 48 hours of launching his campaign for the upcoming MDP presidential primary, Abdulla Shahid visibly strengthened his bid for the MDP presidential ticket by securing the backing of several current and former Members of Parliament, along with senior figures from city councils and Women’s Development Committees (WDCs).
Shahid — the former president of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) and former Foreign Minister of the Maldives — announced last month, in the country’s southernmost city of Addu, that he would contest the party’s primary to select its candidate for the 2028 presidential election. In less than a month of campaigning, he has secured the support of a large number of senior political figures active on the Maldivian political scene. Having begun his campaign tour in Addu City, he has now turned his focus to the northern atolls, with support from party branches, ordinary members and senior political figures growing by the day.
Backing from many current and former MPs
Among those who have declared their support for Shahid’s campaign are sitting MDP members of parliament. These include the party’s Parliamentary Group Leader and MP for Hithadhoo North, Ibrahim Nazil, and the Deputy PG Leader and MP for Addu Maradhoo, Ahmed Didi.
Several former MPs have also joined Shahid’s campaign team, including:
- Ahmed Abdulla, former MP for Baarah Constituency
- Hisan Hussain, former MP for Thulhaadhoo Constituency
- Hussain “Andhun,” former MP for Henveiru West Constituency
- Ali Waheed, former MP for Thoddoo Constituency
- Ibrahim Shareef, former MP for Kelaa Constituency
- Mohamed Ameeth, former MP for Madduvvaree Constituency
- Hussain Areef, former MP for Nolhivaram Constituency
- Ahmed Sameer, former MP for Dhidhdhoo Constituency
- Hussain Gasim, former MP for Keyodhoo Constituency
- Mohamed Shifau, former MP for Ihavandhoo Constituency
- Ahmed Haroon (“Bagey”), former MP for Manadhoo Constituency
Support from councils, WDCs and former government figures
Alongside the sitting and former MPs, a large number of city and island council members and members of Women’s Development Committees (WDCs) have also announced their endorsement of Shahid. Among them are the presidents of the WDCs of Kulhudhuffushi City, Malé City and Addu City, as well as council members.
The campaign team says Shahid has also secured backing from several officials who held senior positions in the previous MDP government, together with a number of council presidents and councillors from islands across the atolls.
Broad support in 48 hours
At the rally in Addu City where Shahid officially launched his campaign, he called on all party members to give him their support and their votes. Within just 48 hours of the launch, his team says, a large number of ordinary party members had already pledged their support. As Shahid now travels through the northern atolls, meeting party branches, young people and members of all ages, his team says he will continue working to win the upcoming primary.
High confidence of a primary win
With the backing of senior political figures, party branches and broad support from ordinary members, Shahid’s team says it is fully confident of winning the upcoming MDP presidential primary. Political analysts see the day-by-day expansion of his campaign as a signal that he will take the party’s ticket. Some say senior figures are joining Shahid because of his experience and capability, and because many believe the policies he would pursue as president would solve the problems the country currently faces.
The MDP presidential primary is expected to be held after Ramadan next year. So far, former MDP Chairperson Fayyaz Ismail has announced he will contest it. Former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih is also reportedly preparing to enter the race.
