President Mohamed Muizzu said today that he has nothing to discuss with Dhiggaru MP Ahmed Nazim, who resigned from his position as Deputy Speaker of Parliament yesterday.
Speaking at a press conference held at the President's Office, Muizzu denied rumors suggesting he had met with Nazim during his recent trip to Singapore.
"I went [to Singapore] on holiday to spend time with my family. I spent all my time on that. I have no matters to discuss, no consultations, and no negotiations with Nazim. I haven't even considered it. That trip was not for any such purpose," Muizzu said.
However, several figures, including former President Mohamed Nasheed, have alleged that Muizzu’s trip to Singapore was intended for a meeting with Nazim. These claims coincide with circulating rumors regarding Nazim's potential arrest.
The ruling People's National Congress (PNC) had submitted a resolution to Parliament seeking Nazim’s removal from the Deputy Speaker post. The resolution accused him of working with a "political bias" and attempting to disrupt the harmony within the legislative body.
Nazim, however, denied the PNC's allegations in a post on X yesterday. He noted that no member had previously raised complaints regarding any action by him—either as Deputy Speaker or as an MP—that violated the Constitution or parliamentary regulations.
Nazim is regarded as one of the most experienced politicians currently active in the Maldives. He previously served as Deputy Speaker of Parliament from 2009 until 2015.
He also worked closely with former President Abdulla Yameen, playing a key role in Yameen’s first political party, the People’s Alliance.
Following a political fallout after Yameen assumed the presidency, Nazim was convicted of fraud in 2015 and sentenced to 25 years in prison. That same year, after traveling to Singapore under medical leave, he sought and obtained political asylum in the United Kingdom.
Nazim returned to the Maldives in 2018 after the Supreme Court overturned his conviction.
