HGP Nightly News – As Opposition Members of Parliament prepare to meet on Monday to elect a Leader of the Opposition, the Association of People of African Descent (APAD) has issued a cautionary appeal, urging lawmakers to treat the decision as a matter of national consequence rather than internal political convenience.
In a statement released ahead of the scheduled meeting, APAD stressed that Opposition MPs are constitutionally bound to act in the supreme interest of the State and the people of Guyana. The organisation warned that the choice of an Opposition Leader carries serious constitutional and institutional weight, given the powers attached to the office and its role in safeguarding democratic checks and balances.
APAD said it is particularly concerned about the possible elevation of Azruddin Mohamed to the post, noting that it is a matter of public record that he is facing criminal charges in the United States, including allegations related to gold smuggling and tax evasion. The group argued that such circumstances inevitably raise questions about credibility, judgment, and public confidence—qualities it says are indispensable for the role.
“The Leader of the Opposition is not a ceremonial figure,” the statement emphasised. According to APAD, the officeholder plays a central role in constitutional appointments, participates directly in oversight mechanisms, and represents the State in engagements that demand integrity and trust. For that reason, the organisation said the office cannot be shielded from scrutiny by political calculations.
Placing the issue in a wider national context, APAD noted that Guyana is at a critical juncture, emerging from decades of economic and institutional challenges and moving toward a future marked by growth, stability, and deeper international engagement. Decisions taken now, the group warned, must reinforce that trajectory rather than introduce uncertainty or undermine institutional credibility.
APAD cautioned that electing an Opposition Leader whose standing raises serious public concern could weaken confidence in Parliament, erode democratic oversight, and damage Guyana’s reputation at a time when stability and institutional maturity are essential. Such an outcome, the organisation said, would have ripple effects across governance, public trust, and the country’s broader development path.
The group concluded by calling on Opposition MPs to rise above factional interests and short-term political advantage, and instead discharge their constitutional duty with the seriousness it demands. Guyana’s democratic institutions, APAD said, must be led by individuals whose conduct and record strengthen, rather than strain, the Republic.
