Former Vice President Faisal Naseem has today officially announced that he will be running in opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) presidential primaries.
Faisal made the announcement this morning on Raajje TV's 'Fashaairu' programme.
Faisal stated that he had spent the past weeks monitoring the political environment.
He said that he had decided to run in the presidential primaries after extensive discussions with former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, and with his endorsement.
"I believe that it is crucial that we are able to go forward in this way. As you know, many people look up to President Solih as a leader who served the country immensely and did so much work for the Maldives during the last MDP government," Faisal praised Solih.
Conceding that running for presidential primaries is no small task, Faisal asserted that he wishes to build a team that will work day and night towards the common goal.
Male' Mayor Adam Azim has been selected as Faisal's running mate.
Azim also joined Faisal in today's RaajjeTV programme, where he said that it is important that both the president and vice president are from the same party during an MDP administration.
"In that vein, I accepted VP Faisal's invitation and I am ready to work as Faisal's Vice President. That is the work we are doing together," Azim said.
Azim reflected that he had worked alongside Faisal during Solih's administration as well. He stressed that they had both collaborated professionally during the term.
Azim also reiterated that he and Faisal had decided to run in the MDP primaries with Solih's backing.
"He is a man who worked wisely and sincerely even when Maldives was in its most dire state, to overcome the Covid impacts. He worked to bring development to all the islands of Maldives, whether big or small," Azim said.
As of now, in addition to Faisal, former MDP Chairperson Fayyaz Ismail, former MDP President Abdulla Shahid, and South Hulhumale' MP Dr. Ahmed Shamheed have announced that they will be running for MDP's presidential ticket.
