President Muizzu's two-to-three-hour speech was a reaction to the government's certain defeat in the upcoming council elections: Reeko Moosa

Former Chairperson of the opposition MDP, Moosa Manik (Reeko Moosa), has stated that President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu is delivering lengthy speeches lasting three to four hours because he is aware that the government faces a decisive defeat in the upcoming local council elections.

Speaking at the MDP's "Heyvalla Thayyaaru" rally, Moosa stated that the party would secure a decisive victory over the government in the upcoming elections, asserting that the public is already well aware of this outcome. He further remarked that the President, sensing an impending defeat, has resorted to delivering lengthy, grandstanding speeches in Parliament while personally attending to his own needs, such as repeatedly drinking water during his address.

Moosa stated that the government has resorted to irrelevant rhetoric because it lacks a clear agenda and the capacity to deliver results. He remarked that while the public could believe a brief mention of airport development, it was unnecessary to include trivial matters in a Presidential Address—such as replacing roofing sheets on a neighbor’s house or announcing that the wheels on all government buggies would be replaced starting tomorrow.

Even a brief mention would be enough to convince us that the airport project will proceed. Indeed, I now intend to replace the roofing sheets on the four sections of the Jeekanhurige, and starting tomorrow, the wheels on all government-maintained buggies will be replaced. These are not necessarily matters that must be included in every Presidential Address; however, I am adding them nonetheless. It seems you are unaware because the government lacks a clear vision of its objectives and capabilities.

Former Chairperson of the MDP, Moosa Manik

Moosa stated that the decentralization system was an initiative pioneered by the MDP, established specifically for the benefit of the Maldivian people. He noted that the primary objective of this system is to empower individuals chosen by the citizens to govern and manage their respective islands locally.

Moosa stated that if the public grants these seats to the government, they will face significant challenges in reclaiming them in the future.

We reformed the former administrative system of island chiefs to establish the current framework. We also restructured the atolls based on these same principles. Any rational person can clearly see that the current system is well-organized. In truth, following the elections, the establishment of a dedicated ministry has allowed this process to function seamlessly. The citizens of the Maldives must consider this: if you surrender your seats—specifically the legally established local council seats in your islands—to the government, we will face immense difficulty in reclaiming them.

Former Chairperson of the MDP, Moosa Manik

Moosa stated that the MDP would re-establish local councils as they had previously, including the formation of atoll councils across the Maldives. He emphasized that power would be returned to the people, noting that this can only be achieved if the public trusts the MDP's vision and works collectively with the party to move forward.

Moosa stated that once the election concludes and the results shift in favor of the government securing a number of seats, the judiciary, as well as the military and police services, will undergo a transformation. He further noted that Members of Parliament would also begin joining the MDP, and emphasized that the party stands ready to welcome them.