The government has ignored the people's demands and is heading towards a dictatorship, former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih said today.

Speaking at the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP)'s "Decentralized Connection" conference in Kulhudhuffushi, Solih said the government is centralizing all its powers like a dictatorial regime although a democracy mandates listening to the people's demands and providing services more closely.

"These people in power today do not listen to what the people say. They are doing everything for their own benefit. Dictatorship is the direction the present government is heading," he said.

Noting that things would be very easy for the President by concentrating all the power in the President’s Office, Solih said the people do not accept that today and will do everything necessary to oppose the centralization of powers.

"They came to power through lies and deception. Today it is becoming clear. The promises they made to come to power were made without looking at any accounts and books," he said.

The government's lies and propaganda have caused huge damage to the country including losses in the tourism sector and the government should be held accountable when they talk about lack of money, he said.

MDP councillors and women's development committee (WDC) members from the three northern atolls are participating in the conference today.