By Travis Chase | HGP Nightly News |
Leader of the We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) party, Azruddin Mohamed, was on Monday elected Leader of the Opposition by a unanimous 17–0 vote, formally ending months of uncertainty surrounding the post and completing the constitutional structure of Guyana’s 13th Parliament.
Mohamed was elected unopposed during a brief meeting of opposition Members of Parliament at the Parliament Buildings in Georgetown. The meeting, which lasted less than 20 minutes, began shortly after 10:00 hrs and concluded with Mohamed emerging as the sole nominee.
Speaking to reporters immediately after his election, Mohamed welcomed the conclusion of the process and signalled what he described as an “aggressive new phase” of opposition oversight, with a strong focus on accountability and anti-corruption.
He said his leadership would prioritise confronting corruption, which he described as one of the country’s most pressing challenges, and pledged to rigorously scrutinise the actions of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) administration.
Mohamed also criticised Guyana’s traditional political dynamics, accusing the major parties of fostering division along ethnic lines. He positioned the WIN party as a multi-ethnic alternative committed to representing all Guyanese, regardless of background.
Turning to parliamentary operations, the newly elected Opposition Leader confirmed that both WIN and A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) will be represented on all parliamentary committees in keeping with proportional representation. He further announced that space will be made on selected committees for Forward Guyana Movement leader Amanza Walton-Desir, despite her party not securing committee seats under the proportional formula.
According to Mohamed, this move reflects a commitment to inclusive opposition collaboration and unified oversight of government.
Looking ahead, he said his tenure will focus on raising critical national issues, enforcing accountability, and ensuring sustained and effective scrutiny of government policies and spending.
Mohamed’s election clears the way for the full activation of parliamentary committees, including key oversight bodies such as the Public Accounts Committee, and restores the full functioning of Parliament following the opening of the 13th National Assembly.
