By: Antonio Dey | HGP Nightly News |
Presumptive Opposition Leader and We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) Party Leader, Azruddin Mohamed, has sharply criticized the ruling People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) over what he described as a “dictatorial” approach to the election of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the 13th Parliament.
When the National Assembly convened on Monday, Manzoor Nadir was re-elected as Speaker. At the same time, Dr. Vishwa Mahadeo was chosen as Deputy Speaker, securing 36 votes compared to 17 for opposition nominee Tabitha Sarabo-Halley.
Mohamed argued that the Deputy Speaker position should have been given to his party, WIN, as part of efforts to promote inclusivity and fair representation within the National Assembly.
“The PPP is a full-blown dictatorship party; they want to control everything — and I knew this would have been the end result,” Mohamed declared.
The WIN leader, who was also sworn in as a Member of Parliament, pledged to hold the government accountable and ensure that campaign promises are met.
“I will fight to the end to ensure they are held accountable for everything they do,” he asserted.
Mohamed further indicated his willingness to collaborate with the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and Forward Guyana Movement (FGM) on issues affecting citizens, noting that cooperation among opposition forces is essential for balanced governance.
Meanwhile, Clerk of the National Assembly, Sherlock Isaacs, provided clarification regarding the election of the Leader of the Opposition, stating that the process will occur at the discretion of the Speaker of the House.
“The Constitution does not specify when the meeting to elect the Opposition Leader must take place — whether at the first, second, or third sitting. It is entirely at the discretion of the Speaker,” Isaacs explained.
The National Assembly will reconvene in the coming days, where attention is expected to turn to the formal election of the Leader of the Opposition, with Azruddin Mohamed emerging as the likely nominee.
