Shahid counsels to resume efforts to appoint interim chairperson over inconsistencies

Main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) leader Abdulla Shahid has advised the party’s deputy chairperson, Ibrahim Waheed (Iburey), to resume efforts to appoint an interim chairperson, citing inconsistencies observed during the vote.

Shahid’s advice follows the resignation of former Dhidhdhoo MP Abdulla Waheed, who had been appointed interim chairperson pending a formal election to fill the vacant position. In his resignation, Abdulla Waheed attributed his decision to the actions of Shahid and the party’s advisor, former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.

In a letter to Iburey, Shahid highlighted the issues he identified in the report concerning the vote at Friday night’s MDP National Council meeting regarding Abdulla Waheed’s appointment as interim chairperson.

In this regard, Shahid highlighted that the party secretariat had first recorded 96 attendees at the meeting, or 95 when the presiding member was excluded.

Shahid further explained that the secretariat had initially announced that Waheed’s appointment was approved, with 47 members voting in favor. However, he added that some members protested, arguing that 47 did not constitute half of 95, which led the secretariat to reverse its decision and declare that Waheed’s appointment was not approved.

Shahid emphasized that the secretariat’s conflicting actions caused the meeting to descend into disorder, prompting the secretariat to call for a recess.

He underscored that Abdulla Waheed had sent a letter to him, withdrawing his nomination for the party’s interim chairperson post in order to maintain unity.

As such, he counseled to resume efforts to appoint an interim chairperson with proper arrangements in place.

Abdulla Waheed said he decided to apply for the post at the request of an MDP parliamentary group member. He added that he consulted Shahid and Solih before making a decision, both of whom encouraged him to pursue it.

However, he emphasized that the subsequent actions of both individuals—and other parliamentary group members—were inconsistent with their previous remarks.

“I know without doubt today that I would face major hurdles in fulfilling the role based on the actions of the party’s leader, advisor and parliamentary group members who supported me and encouraged me to contest for the post leading up to the vote and after it,” he said.

As such, he said he has decided against retaining the post, adding the decision was made with party’s unity in mind.

Abdulla Waheed also urged Shahid and Solih against such acts in the future and work towards the party’s unity.

MDP’s chairperson post became vacant following the resignation of Fayyaz Ismail, who last held the post, last Sunday. This has again escalated competition between Solih and former president Mohamed Nasheed.