Fayyaz backs Ghafoor for MDP interim chairman

Former MDP chairman Fayyaz Ismail has expressed support for Hanimaadhoo MP Abdul Ghafoor Moosa (Gapo) to serve as the party’s interim chairman, which is the only name currently on the table for the position.

In a message sent to the official WhatsApp group of the opposition National Assembly, Fayyaz asked Deputy Chairman Ibrahim Waheed to clarify the date of the meeting to elect an interim chair and urged that the process be completed “as soon as possible.”

The National Assembly was initially scheduled to meet Friday night to elect a temporary replacement following Fayyaz’s resignation last month, which ended his four-year tenure as chairman. However, internal disputes forced the meeting to be suspended.

The first contestant for the interim chair was former Dhidhdhoo MP Abdulla Waheed, followed by former Addu Hithadhoo North MP Mohamed Aslam, who also expressed interest. Aslam’s candidacy has been contentious as he is not a member of the National Assembly, raising doubts over his eligibility to fulfill the chair’s responsibilities.

Waheed’s nomination came from the faction aligned with former President Mohamed Nasheed, while Aslam was backed by supporters of former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.

At the meeting held at the Function Five hall in the former Westpark area, Waheed’s name was put to a vote first. He received 47 votes in favor, but the opposing faction blocked the submission of Aslam’s name, triggering a heated dispute that forced the session to end abruptly.

Waheed later withdrew his candidacy for the post of Chairman. In a letter to party president Abdulla Shahid, he said that although he had secured the interim chair position in the vote, he decided to step aside due to the conduct of Solih and Shahid. He said that it was to restore unity within the party.