Former First Lady Fazna Ahmed has said it is not something to celebrate when an institution is seen as unable to function without a specific leader, stating that true leadership lies in empowering others.

Fazna made the remarks in a Facebook post amid growing tensions ahead of the Chairperson election of the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP).

Her comments are in response to recent remarks by former MDP Vice President Mohamed Shifaz, who said the party was “dead” and could only be revived under former President Mohamed Nasheed.

Fazna said effective leadership, whether in politics, schools or families, should focus on developing the abilities and confidence of others rather than creating dependence on one individual.

“I don’t think we should be happy when people say that an institution cannot function without a specific leader,” she wrote.

She said that if children feel unable to manage life without their parents, or if a school cannot operate after a principal leaves, it reflects a failure to build self-confidence and leadership qualities in others.

Fazna also said one of the major weaknesses of charismatic leaders is that they can make institutions overly dependent on themselves.

“A leader’s personality may bring speed to things, but institutions can only be sustainable when they are built on strong principles,” she said.

In the upcoming MDP Chairperson election, Fazna is backing Galolhu South MP Meekail Ahmed Naseem, a relative, who is contesting against Nasheed.

Supporters of both candidates have traded increasingly heated criticism ahead of the vote, which is scheduled for June.