GEORGETOWN – The We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) party has mounted a vigorous defense of its indicted leader, Azruddin Mohamed, with incoming Member of Parliament (MP) Tabitha Sarabo-Halley fiercely dismissing claims of a constitutional crisis and accusing critics of engaging in blatant political hypocrisy. Sarabo-Halley, who served as the party’s Prime Ministerial Candidate, issued a statement Monday asserting that the rule of law must apply equally to all, including the sitting President.
Sarabo-Halley described assertions of a constitutional crisis, following Mohamed’s U.S. indictment, as “misleading and politically opportunistic,” arguing they stem from either a misunderstanding or a deliberate distortion of the Constitution for partisan gain.
Indictment is Not Disqualification
The incoming MP drove home her legal and political argument by clarifying the constitutional status of her leader. She emphasized that no provision in the Constitution prevents a duly elected Member of Parliament from being sworn in, or from serving as Leader of the Opposition, simply because of a foreign or domestic indictment.
“The qualifications and disqualifications for Members of Parliament are clearly set out in Articles 155 and 156. An indictment is not among them,” she stated. Furthermore, Sarabo-Halley rejected calls for a “consensus candidate” to replace Mohamed, describing the idea as undemocratic and a violation of the voters’ will. She asserted: “The people of Guyana have already made their choice at the ballot box. They did not vote for consensus behind closed doors; they voted for representation and leadership that reflects their democratic will.”
The Presidential Parallel
The statement escalated the confrontation by drawing a direct and highly provocative parallel to the nation’s highest office. Sarabo-Halley confronted the “selective outrage” over Mohamed’s legal troubles by reminding the nation of President Irfaan Ali’s own history. She recalled that Ali faced 19 fraud charges related to state land sales before assuming the presidency, charges that were later discontinued.
“If it was not a constitutional crisis for Irfaan Ali to become President while facing serious allegations, then it certainly is not one for Azruddin Mohamed to become Leader of the Opposition while under indictment,” she argued. Sarabo-Halley concluded with a powerful warning: democracy cannot function on “the selective outrage of those who twist constitutional principles to suit their political convenience.” The rule of law, she insisted, must be consistent and applied equally to every citizen.
