‘We Know Everyone Down to Their DNA’: MDP’s Gapo Confident Party Leadership Would Not Take Bribes

Abdul Ghafoor Moosa, the newly elected interim chairperson of the Maldives’ main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), expressed confidence on Tuesday that the party’s leadership would not engage in bribery. Speaking at his first press briefing since taking office, Ghafoor, also known as Gapo, stated that he knows the leadership “down to their DNA,” emphasizing their integrity. The remarks come amid allegations that the MDP accepted money to cancel a mass anti-government rally planned for November 17 in the capital, Malé. The rally, intended to mark two years of the current administration, was postponed indefinitely on November 8, with the party accusing Home Minister Ali Ihusan of obstructing the event. While a senior MDP source suggested the cancellation was linked to a bribery deal, Gapo dismissed the claims, stating that the leadership is united and trustworthy. MDP’s deputy chairperson Ibrahim Waheed (Ibrey) also denied the allegations, asserting that the government obstructed the rally. Gapo urged greater party unity ahead of the upcoming Local Council Elections and assured that the leadership would respect every vote.