Seeking re-election after delivering for the people: Azim

Male' City Mayor Adam Azim has said he is seeking a second term in office because he has delivered progress during his first 18 months as mayor.

Speaking at a campaign event last night, Azim who is contesting the MDP mayoral ticket in the 4 April local council elections said his decision to run again was based on performance rather than rhetoric.

“I am seeking a second term because I have done things in one and a half years,” he said, adding that he entered politics to serve residents, not simply to win votes.

Azim criticised what he described as a long-standing political culture of incremental development tied to election cycles.

“People are told they will get a harbour over three terms; first a revetment, then a seawall, then lights, then pavements. The canal comes in the fifth term. That’s how votes are collected,” he said.

He contrasted this with the approach he said he was encouraged to take by the administration of former president Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, focusing on addressing people’s needs directly rather than making promises for electoral gain.

According to Azim, projects that previously took 20 to 25 years to complete were finished within 18 months under his leadership. He cited his experience as former managing director of MTCC as key to accelerating development work.

The mayor said he had delivered significant improvements for residents of Male', Hulhumale' and Vilimale', and argued that trust must be earned through action.

“If I had not done what people wanted, if I had not gained their trust, I would not be contesting again,” he said.

Azim also rejected what he described as a tendency among elected officials to shift blame, saying he would not make excuses.

“There are enough people who blame each other. I will not do that. I came to serve the people wisely, and I intend to continue doing so,” he said.

He added that no elected official had visited Vilimale' more frequently than he had, claiming the area had been neglected before his tenure and had since been revitalized.