Faisal announces bid for MDP presidential primary; Mayor Azim named as running mate

Former Vice President Faisal Naseem has officially announced his intention to contest the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) presidential primary for the upcoming 2028 presidential election.

He has appointed Male' City Mayor Adam Azim as his running mate.

Speaking on Thursday's "Fashaairu" program, Faisal stated that he has been closely monitoring the Maldives' political landscape over the past few days and has engaged in extensive consultations with senior party officials and the general public regarding the matter.

He stated that his decision to contest the upcoming presidential primary was made following those deliberations.

Faisal highlighted that this decision has the full cooperation and support of former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih. Noting that President Solih rendered significant service to the people during the previous administration, Faisal stated that he is embarking on this endeavor with a formidable team to address the major concerns facing the nation. He further added that having a dedicated individual like Adam Azim by his side provides immense encouragement.

We are moving forward with this initiative following consultations with former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, whose significant cooperation has been instrumental. We consider this collaboration to be of the utmost importance. As we proceed, it is important to recognize that President Solih is a leader who delivered extensive services and spearheaded numerous projects for the Maldivian people during the previous MDP administration—a fact acknowledged by many across the country. As we embark on this journey as a unified team, we recognize that our mission is far from easy. We are undertaking a challenging and vital task. Today, there are profound concerns across various sectors of the Maldivian political landscape. Therefore, I believe it was essential to begin this journey with a formidable team—one capable of working tirelessly, day and night, to achieve our goals.

Faisal Naseem

Mayor Adam Azim, who is contesting as Faisal’s running mate, stated that he believes it is crucial for the MDP to hold both the presidency and vice-presidency during the party's administration. Azim further highlighted that Faisal worked closely with the previous government and is a diligent leader who personally oversaw national development initiatives on a daily basis, particularly key projects such as the RTL transport service.

Former Vice President Faisal Naseem and Male' City Mayor Adam Azim speaking during RaajjeTV's "Fashaairu" program. | Male city council

Furthermore, Azim stated that he had accepted the invitation from Faisal—whom he described as someone dedicated to serving the nation—and expressed his full readiness to serve alongside him as Vice President.

Faisal has become the fourth individual to announce his candidacy for the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) presidential primary. He joins former party chairperson Fayyaz Ismail, former party president Abdulla Shahid, and Member of Parliament Ahmed Shamheed, all of whom have already declared their intention to contest the primary.