Last Updated on Tuesday, 20 January 2026, 22:08 by Writer
Leader of the main opposition We Invest in Nationhood (WIN), Azruddin Mohamed on Tuesday failed in his bid to seek an impromptu audience with Speaker of the National Assembly, Manzoor Nadir to ascertain when a meeting of opposition members of parliament (MPs) would be held to elect him as Leader of the Opposition.
“I want (Bharrat) Jagdeo and Irfaan (Ali) to know that we won’t take this lightly…If we have to arrange peaceful protests, we’ll hit the streets next,” he told Demerara Waves Online News shortly before leaving Parliament Building.
The National Assembly is scheduled to meet on January 26 for the presentation of the 2026 National Budget.
Referring to other countries, Mr Mohamed noted that “in different parts of the world, protesters do change situations.” He said the People’s Progressive Party Civic supporters stormed the Pegasus Hotel when then President David Granger was there.
Originally, Mr Mohamed said he went to Parliament Building, Brickdam to meet with Clerk of the National Assembly, Sherlock Isaacs on when the meeting would be called.
Mr Mohamed said Mr Nadir arrived, went to his office and he attempted to talk with him, even knocking on his office door. Mr Mohamed said a parliament office staff member opened the door and informed him and his delegation of MPs that Mr Nadir could not meet with them.
Concerning the planned legal action against the House Speaker, the WIN Leader said that would be done “after we exhaust all ends.”
The United States, Britain, Canada and the European Union have all called for the election of the Leader of the Opposition, saying that it is critical to a functioning democracy.
The WIN Leader, whose party won 16 of the 65 parliamentary seats at last year’s general elections, warned that there would be protest action in order to pressure the Speaker to obey Guyana’s Constitution.
He suggested that the position of opposition leader was key to holding the government “accountable”. “We don’t know how we can move forward with a budget without the Leader of the Opposition,” he added.
He could not say how that position is a requirement for budgetary accountability, but said having a physical office was important for members of the public to go to have their concerns addressed.
The WIN Leader, however, pointed out that the position of opposition leader is needed to restructure the composition of the seven-member Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM). “Right now, GECOM is doing claims and objections and I don’t have anyone there to represent my party and we’re the main opposition party,” he said.
While President Irfaan Ali has said that election of the opposition leader is a matter for the opposition lawmakers, Attorney General Anil Nandlall is on record as saying that it would be a “stain” on Guyana if Mr Mohamed becomes the office holder.
The wealthy gold dealer and his father, Nazar “Shell” Mohamed, are currently fighting a United States extradition request to face trial in Florida for alleged wire fraud, mail fraud and money laundering.
Their commital hearing continues on February 5 before Principal Magistrate Judy Latchman.
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