‘Mohameds have a right to contest elections’

Apr 01, 2025 News

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…but WPA says yet to examine whether it would partake in a coalition with them

Kaieteur News- Co-Leader of the Working People’s Alliance (WPA), Dr. David Hinds, said that his party is yet to examine whether it would partake in a coalition that includes the Mohammeds. He, however, made it clear that his party has no control over who does or does not join the coalition.

Dr. Hinds was asked directly if his party would support the leader of the Alliance for Change (AFC), Nigel Hughes, or the leader of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNC/R), Aubrey Norton, if they should decide on a partnership inclusive of the Mohammeds. He explained that there is no council within the coalition members that can make a decision to admit or not admit persons into it. However, his party has not yet studied this possibility with the businessmen, and the way forward if it occurs. “We have not studied that, and I suppose there is a lot of sensitivity around the Mohammeds. The fact that they have been sanctioned by the United States of America is a factor that is being taken into consideration, and we have not studied what our position would be if the Mohammeds (has an interest)…because we have not gotten any hint at the moment that the Mohammeds are even prepared to contest the election, and much more that they’re prepared to contest as part of the Opposition Coalition,” Dr Hinds said.

He went on to say that, should this become an eventuality, then the WPA will definitely have to deliberate on it within the realms of the party before a decision on their participation is taken. Dr. Hinds said that as far as he knows, and from the understanding of the party members, there is nothing that prevents the Mohammeds from contesting the elections in Guyana.

“They have not been sanctioned by the Guyanese government, and we don’t know that economic sanctions disqualifies an individual or a group of individuals from contesting elections. So, we do not want to sit here and to pass judgment on the Mohammeds and to say that they are entangled with the United States and certain alleged actions. We do not want to sit here and pass judgement and say we would not participate in Guyanese elections,” he told the media.

Furthermore, Dr. Hinds explained that, from the party’s reading, the Mohammeds have every right as any other individual or group within society to participate. However, “given the controversy arising out of the sanctions by the United States, we would want to discuss it. Discuss the pros and cons within our party before we arrive at a decision of potentially participating in a coalition in which they are a member.”

He reiterated that they are not disregarding the sanction against the businessmen, but they “respect the right of the Mohammeds as Guyanese to participate in Guyanese elections. We have not seen anything that lawfully prevents them from participating in Guyanese elections… as it relates to us participating in a grand coalition in which they are participating, our party has not discussed it, and we would have to discuss it and make a decision one way or the other.”

Meanwhile, on Sunday, while responding to claims that the Mohameds’ family is aligned with the APNU-AFC, through Mr. Nigel Hughes, Team Mohamed’s said in a statement, “This is nothing more than a deliberate attempt to manipulate reality. Mr. Hughes had previously stated that he was sought in a professional capacity to represent the Mohamed family on a legal matter. Yet, the Government has seized this opportunity to twist the facts in an attempt to push its own agenda.”

Moreover, Team Mohamed’s said it was deeply troubling that the President of a developing nation, Irfaan Ali, has chosen to amplify unverified claims rather than addressing pressing social and economic challenges. “Guyana continues to face significant issues, including increasing crime rates—such as armed robberies, carjackings, and gender-based violence—alongside inadequate public sector wages, limited police capacity, corruption, and lack of access to quality healthcare and potable water in hinterland communities. These are the matters that demand national attention, not baseless speculation,” Team Mohamed’s said. The statement went on to note that in an age where social media exposes the truth for all to see, “it is now clearer than ever that the PPP Government feels threatened. With so many Guyanese living below the poverty line, struggling to afford basic needs and necessities, it is shameful that the government resorts at this time to spreading misinformation instead of addressing the real issues facing the people of this great nation. We have said it before, and we will say it again—we are not aligned with any political party. Time and time again, we have made this clear, yet false narratives continue to be pushed. The cries of our people cannot be ignored…they need assistance, they need someone to listen, someone to acknowledge their struggles. But instead of addressing these concerns, the Government chooses to weaponise the state’s machinery against us.”

It added, “In closing, we would like to reiterate the fact that, should Mr. A. Mohamed decide to run for Office, he is compassionate, capable, confident, committed and competent to do so without the affiliation of any other political party.”

(‘Mohameds have a right to contest elections’)

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• Coalition, Dr. Hinds, examine, Mohammeds, WPA

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