Amidst growing signs of President Mohamed Muizzu’s declining public popularity, significant shifts in internal dynamics have begun to surface within the ruling People’s National Congress (PNC).
Senior PNC members informed Adhadhu that during a recent Senate meeting, Muizzu proposed granting the party leadership full authority to oversee all arrangements for the upcoming party congress. However, the proposal failed to secure the support of the Senate majority.
"This is the first time a proposal by the President has failed to pass," a member of the PNC leadership said on condition of anonymity.
During the meeting, the Senate decided against granting exclusive power to the leadership. Instead, they opted to form a special committee to ensure the involvement of general members in the decision-making process for the congress.
PNC members who spoke to Adhadhu noted that the newly formed committee includes several individuals whom President Muizzu reportedly disfavors or did not wish to see involved.
The committee appointed to organize the PNC Congress, scheduled for late this year, includes Speaker of Parliament Abdul Raheem Abdulla, Parliamentary Group Leader Ibrahim Falah, Fisheries Minister Ahmed Shiyam, Baarashu MP Ibrahim Shujau, Economic Minister Mohamed Saeed, IGMH CEO Ibrahim Abdul Razzaq Haleem, Heritage Minister Heena Waleed, Nilandhoo MP Fathimath Saudha, Maldives Gas Managing Director Abdulla Mohamed, Milandhoo MP Hassan Mufeed, former Fenaka Corporation Managing Director Muaz Mohamed Rasheed, and Fuvahmulah South MP Ibrahim Hassan.
While there has been no open movement against Muizzu within the party yet, several members told Adhadhu that there is underlying tension among the members.
The decline in Muizzu’s popularity became evident following the April 4 referendum, where 70 percent of voters rejected constitutional amendments he had proposed. Furthermore, the PNC suffered a major setback in the local council elections.
The Senate’s rejection of the President’s proposal comes at a time when three former presidents—Mohamed Nasheed, Abdulla Yameen, and Ibrahim Mohamed Solih—have all publicly indicated that efforts are underway to remove Muizzu from power.
Meanwhile, PNC parliamentary group leader Falah claimed that nothing contrary to Muizzu's wishes will occur within the party's senate or leadership.
"Nothing that President Muizzu does not desire will happen in the PNC senate or its leadership. We all love President Muizzu more than that, and we all have the utmost confidence in him," Falah said.
Despite this loyalty, Falah noted in a post on X that the President prioritizes the party's basic regulations, established procedures, and the principle of consultation.
"President Muizzu did not propose for any specific matter to be handled in a particular way during the last PNC senate meeting. Throughout the entire meeting, he proposed that all matters be decided in the manner the senate members deemed most appropriate," Falah said.
