…describes family’s saintly social media façade as “fake piety, real vile conduct”
Vice President (VP) Dr Bharrat Jagdeo has categorically dismissed the political relevance of United States (US) sanctioned Azruddin Mohamed, stating bluntly that the embattled businessman will have “no impact” on the 2025 elections.
In a critique during his weekly press conference, Jagdeo shredded the credibility of Mohamed’s presidential aspirations, describing his campaign as a concoction of fake social media hype, public relation stunts, and “delusion.”
Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo
The VP’s remarks came in response to recent developments, including ongoing criminal charges against Azruddin Mohamed for submitting fake invoices to the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) and the man’s public declaration that he intends to run for President.
“He promised integrity,” Jagdeo said sarcastically, “but you decide if you can associate the word ‘integrity’ with the Mohameds.”
“Fake piety, real vile conduct”
Jagdeo was particularly critical of the Mohamed family’s attempts to portray themselves as victims and religious martyrs, claiming that their social media displays of godliness contrast starkly with their real-world behaviour.
He referenced a recent incident in which a Azruddin Mohamed’s father, Nazar “Shell” Mohamed lashed out at social media personality ‘Guyanese Critic’ with “expletive-laden, vile comments” while threatening him physical violence outside of court when asked tough questions about their legal troubles. The VP challenged press freedom organisations like the Guyana Press Association (GPA) to respond with the same intensity they would if a Government official behaved similarly.
“In curated environments, people can wear a suit and tie and portray themselves as saints. But under pressure, their true nature comes out,” he remarked.
According to Jagdeo, the Mohameds’ campaign is built on an illusion of popularity fueled by “trolls,” locked social media profiles, and fake survey data.
“They claim to have surveyed 80,000 Guyanese and said 60 per cent would vote for him. That is insanity. Even in the US, major polls sample less than that. It’s all fake. They’re duping themselves,” he said, accusing some in Mohamed’s orbit of fabricating numbers to extract money from the businessman.
He warned Guyanese not to be deceived by manufactured hype, stating that the so-called “Team Mohamed” is “a creation of PR, not people.”
US sanctions, GRA charges not political
Further, Jagdeo firmly rejected claims that the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) is behind Mohamed’s legal woes, particularly the high-profile sanctions imposed by the US Government on the Mohameds for gold smuggling.
“Did we tell the US ambassador to say they have a ‘mountain load’ of evidence? Did we tell OFAC (Office of Foreign Assets Control) to sanction him?” he asked rhetorically. “No, we didn’t smuggle the gold.”
He also referenced the GRA’s charges involving the submission of fake invoices and tax underreporting related to high-end vehicles, including a Lamborghini Mohamed showcased online. Jagdeo criticised Mohamed for attempting to justify tax evasion, contrasting his actions with the scale of national development efforts.
“$11 billion in unpaid taxes could fund the ‘Because We Care’ cash grant for every child in Guyana for a year,” Jagdeo emphasised.
