Ex-MP Nihan appointed JP leader Qasim’s advisor

Former Vilimale’ MP Ahmed Nihan Hussain Manik has been appointed as the advisor to Jumhoory Party’s (JP) leader Qasim Ibrahim.

The appointment of Nihan was confirmed by JP in an announcement on Friday. As of present, Qasim has three advisors; former Dhangethi MP Ilham Ahmed, former Vilufushi MP Riyaz Rasheed and newly appointed Nihan.

The appointment comes at a time JP is scheduled to hold its congress on February 24, during which it will make its decision regarding the upcoming presidential election.

Nihan made his political debut alongside former President Maumoon Abdul Gayyoom in his former party, Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP). He later joined Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM), and after the end of the party’s administration, signed to JP in August 2019.

When he signed for the party back in 2019, he said he was joining to take JP to new heights alongside the party’s leader Qasim, and expressed his wish to not hold any positions within the party.

He had recently taken a step back from the political arena after years-long political involvement.

Although JP has yet to make a final decision regarding the upcoming presidential election – many do not believe the existing government coalition would sustain. Maldivian Democratic Party’s leader (MDP), Parliament Speaker Mohamed Nasheed has recently remarked there is no way JP’s leader Qasim would continue to support President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.