Speaker sets meeting to elect Leader of the Opposition on Monday

…says Parliament will not be bullied by an international fugitive offender

…rebukes threats, attacks by opposition, others

Speaker of the National Assembly Manzoor Nadir has announced that he has directed the Clerk of the National Assembly, Sherlock Isaacs, to convene a meeting of the non-Government Members of Parliament (MP) on Monday for the election of a new Leader of the Opposition (LOO) of the 13th Parliament.

Nadir made the announcement on Tuesday during a video broadcast on National Communications Network, confirming that the meeting will be held at 10:00h, just a few hours before the reading of the 2026 national budget. During the broadcast, Nadir also addressed public criticism surrounding the delay in naming an Opposition Leader, including comments from members of the diplomatic community, sections of the media, and opposition figures. Nadir underscored that election is proceeding despite concerns he holds regarding the presumptive Opposition Leader, United States (US)-indicted and sanctioned Azruddin Mohamed, whose We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) party controls the largest bloc on the opposition benches with 16 seats of 29 seats. “I have asked the Clerk of the National Assembly to convene a meeting of all the non-Government Members of Parliament for 10:00 a.m. on Monday, 26 January 2026 and this is for the election of the Leader of the Opposition,” Nadir said. “I have found myself in a difficult position to hold the elections of the leader of the opposition when I know that the presumptive leader of the opposition to be elected, Azruddin Mohamed is an international fugitive. [However], I intend to convene the meeting for the election of the Opposition Leader, regardless of how that vote will go.”

Notorious drug trafficker/ international fugitive
Much concern has stirred over the past few months over the probability of Mohamed ascending to the LOO position, given his current legal situation. Mohamed along with his father Nazar Mohamed are currently wanted in the US where they face 11 criminal charges, including alleged gold smuggling, money laundering, mail fraud and wire fraud. The Mohameds are accused of conspiring to defraud the US and Guyanese Governments between 2017 and June 11, 2024. In October last year the US formally submitted an extradition request for the Mohameds. Prior to the indictment the Mohameds were sanctioned by OFAC in 2024. Azruddin was also embroiled in a local case involving alleged tax evasion linked to the under-declaration of a Lamborghini valued at US$695,000 but declared at US$75,300. Other criminal activities locally were also linked to him.
Nadir has likened the situation to what played out with notorious Colombian drug trafficker and crime boss, Pablo Escobar. In light of this, Nadir mirrored concerns about Mohamed taking up the LOO position. “This likelihood has been unprecedented in our Westminster parliamentary system,” Nadir noted.
Nadir urged the opposition MPs to act responsibly and let good sense prevail. Apart from WIN’s 16 seat the Parliamentary Opposition also includes the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) which holds 12 seats, while the Forward Guyana Movement (FGM) has one. “If opposition Members of Parliament feel it morally right to elect an international fugitive, then the stain on our Parliament and on our country rests solely with them. This likelihood is unprecedented in our Westminster parliamentary system. Pablo Escobar, while he may be a role model for some, went down the route of becoming an Honourable Member of Parliament. Extortion, money laundering, terrorism, and trafficking were all associated with Pablo Escobar—just like the internationally indicted fugitive offender. Pablo Escobar also had a darling in the press.” He added, “I pray and I trust that those involved in this process of electing the Leader of the Opposition would be guided by the dignity of the House, the reputation of our country and the sanctity and responsibility that has been entrusted upon them by the electorate,” Nadir said.

Monday’s election ends weeks of what some described as premature inciting of fear, misinformation and speculation over when the opposition would formally select its leader following the September 1, 2025 General and Regional Elections. Addressing certain reports in the media, Nadir noted that the 13th Parliament has been active since it was convened on November 3. “The position expressed by some sections of the media, some diplomats and some opposition members, which gives the impression that the National Assembly has deliberately been inactive is false, an outright absurdity,” he said. “Our 13th Parliament from the time it was convened on November 3, has been functional. In excess of 90 questions and five motions have been received by the Clerk, analysed, processed and decisions communicated to opposition members.” Responding directly to diplomatic commentary urging an election of an Opposition Leader, Nadir questioned whether such an absence undermines democratic systems elsewhere. However nonetheless Nadir acknowledged the historical role of the diplomatic community in supporting Guyana’s democracy.
“We acknowledge with gratitude and much appreciation the work of the diplomatic community historically for the support of democracy in our country, the democracy which was restored in 1992, democracy which was strengthened, fortified and continues to be developed,” he said.

Evidence of democratic progress
Nadir pointed to many of Guyana’s parliamentary systems and oversight bodies as evidence of the country’s democratic progress. “I speak of the introduction of the Rights Commission in our Constitution. I speak of the introduction of the Integrity Commission, the Public Procurement Commission, the Local Government Commission, the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) and of course the expansion of the private media in our country. These are unprecedented in our history and more particularly they uphold our people’s right to freedom of expression and freedom of association,” Nadir said.

Personal attacks
The Speaker also addressed personal attacks and allegations levelled against him, which he said have intensified in recent weeks. “I have been carrying over these past few weeks, a great burden. As I read as I watched and I listen to the comments heard at the staff of Parliament and at the speaker,” Nadir noted. “By the nasty comments being spewed by Azruddin Mohamed accusing me of corruption and many other things. “Truth be told, neither my family nor I have ever been sanctioned or indicted by the United States or any court. I am not going to be intimidated by any backyard or front yard bully” the speaker added. “The most recent events and slanders against me have reminded me of the darkest days in Guyana’s political history. The last occasion I found it necessary to make a public statement was after an attack on my home in 2000 by the People’s National Congress (PNC) and their supporters. In fact, as I speak right now [Tuesday evening], those events are being mirrored outside of my home in Eccles, being staged by international fugitive Azruddin Mohamed and his supporters…they have carried out surveillance, impugned my privacy and my family’s privacy and made threats against the safety of my family and me. I have a constitutional right to peace and enjoyment of my home and this has been repeatedly violated by Azruddin Mohamed and his supporters.” The speaker added that his work for democracy, humanity and service to Guyana’s Parliament has been globally recognised.