President Solih says he bears no animosity, invites Nasheed to work together

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, following his landslide victory in the presidential primary of Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has invited his opponent in the election, MDP’s leader Mohamed Nasheed to forget all animosity during the course of the primary in order to work together as one to win the presidential election.

Results so far show that President Solih leads the election by 9,000 votes. That makes up approximately 60 percent of the total votes.

“I call on the opponents; the competition has ended. It has ended. We should now emerge as one in order for MDP to win the upcoming presidential election,” President Solih said.

Underscoring the primary to have been a competitive election – President Solih noted the possibility of having witnessed things that may not have been to one’s liking. He emphasized having let go of such matters.

“I am calling on everyone to join us and partake in the efforts to carry forward MDP,” he added.

Speaking further, President Solih said that the presidential election can be won more easily than the primary. He emphasized having no doubts about it.

“We had to slow down sometimes during the internal competition as we are friends, who have rallied together, and have one ideology,” he said.

Describing MDP as a political party that moves forward under the same ideology, for the same purpose – President Solih said that although the primary showed the party in two factions, their purpose was the same. He cited one of the purposes as bringing peace and unity to the Maldives.

“To bring development for the country and its people. To ensure the right to freedom of assembly for all citizens. This is the ideology of both our factions. Hence, these are not two factions that cannot be combined,” he said.

President Solih emphasized the importance of MDP emerging as one after tonight in order to defeat the opposition party to secure the upcoming presidential election. He retreated that winning the election would not be such a difficult task if the party faces the election with the determination at present.

He reasoned the biggest cause behind the recent dip in MDP’s activities as the lack of friendship within the party.

“There were obstructions for the government to move forward at the pace it should have. Nevertheless, we should forget about these things and think of the future. Go forward with MDP,” he said.