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Nadir hints to have Mohamed appear before Privileges Committee for calling him corrupt

26 January 2026

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January 26, 2026

Months after delays in electing the Leader of the Opposition, weeks after prolonged protests, days after diplomatic warnings, and hours after the eventual election of Azruddin Mohamed as Leader of the Opposition on Monday, January 26, 2026, Speaker of the National Assembly Manzoor Nadir has congratulated Mohamed on his appointment as Opposition Leader.

Speaker Nadir’s congratulation to Azruddin Mohamed was swiftly followed by further comments that comments levelled against him by the now Leader of the Opposition can ‘still’ go to the Parliamentary Privileges Committee for what the Speaker referred to as ‘vile’ could face the Privileges Committee for statements which he, Azruddin Mohamed made outside of the National Assembly; including referring to the Speaker of the National Assembly as being corrupt.

Any matter which appears to affect the powers and privileges of the Assembly is referred to this Committee, whose duty is to consider any such matter and to report thereon to the Assembly.

The speaker said his skin is thick, but also reminded Members of Parliament of the need for them to be familiarized with the parliamentary handbook and the Constitution of Guyana.

Nadir said just around 10:00 hrs. on Monday, January 26, 2026, he convened a meeting with non-government Members of Parliament for the election of the Leader of the Opposition. He clarified that paragraph 4 of the article, which governs the process of the Opposition Leader’s election, states that the leader should be elected by a show of hands regardless of whether there is only one nominee.

Azruddin Mohamed was the only nominee for the post. Before the vote could be taken, members of the A Partnership for National Unity left the meeting. However, Members of Parliament for We Invest In Nationhood voted by a show of hands for Azruddin Mohamed. The leader and lone Parliamentarian, Amanza Walton of Forward Guyana Movement, also voted in favor of Azruddin Mohamed as Leader of the Opposition.

Today, Minister of Finance Dr. Ashni Singh is presenting the country’s National Budget.