Opposition parties demand Ministers Rodrigues, Mustapha resign over corruption allegations

Jan 06, 2026 News

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(Kaieteur News) – Opposition parties, We Invest In Nationhood (WIN) and the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) are calling for Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Susan Rodrigues to tender her resignation with immediate effect, over allegations of corruption.

The former housing minister is accused of owning multiple properties, both locally and abroad. While she admitted to owning properties in Guyana through legal means, the minister has not addressed the fresh accusation made by WIN Leader, Azruddin Mohamed, which alleges that she is the owner of a shell company registered in the United States, along with a $116 million house in Florida. In a statement on Monday, WIN referenced the series of expository stories which it said exposes corruption by the minister.

The party noted, “Minister Susan Rodrigues, in just a few years of public office, has reportedly acquired multiple U.S.-based properties through shell companies. At home, she has received several parcels of prime state land being developed and ready for construction, while ordinary Guyanese wait years for a single lot. She has also made purchases of lands from private individuals.”

WIN pointed out that Guyanese have a right to demand answers about how public officials, entrusted with national resources, can amass wealth and property on a scale that far exceeds their official incomes.

More troubling however, for the opposition party is the deafening silence from the PPP’s top brass. It questioned how a government that claims to champion transparency and accountability can remain quiet while detailed reports of ill-gotten wealth by a cabinet member circulate publicly.  WIN pointed out, “President Ali has repeatedly said they will hold corrupt officials accountable. How is it that laws designed to prevent money laundering, including the Anti-Money Laundering Bill, appear ineffective when senior officials can splurge on luxury properties, cars, and land without consequence? When corruption was exposed on Sherwin Greaves, former CEO at the Ministry of Housing, he was forced to resign.” The party therefore questioned whether ministers are allowed protection which affords them the privilege of maintaining office.

To this end, WIN made it clear, “Public office is a public trust, not a personal bank. Ministers who have lost the moral authority to serve must step aside. Guyanese deserve leadership that is accountable, transparent, and beyond reproach. Silence or inaction in the face of these allegations only entrenches corruption and deepens public mistrust.”

It therefore called on Minister Rodrigues to resign immediately to allow for full, independent investigations.

Should the minister fail to resign, WIN stated that the responsibility falls squarely on President Irfaan Ali to remove her from office to restore public confidence, and demonstrate that no one is above the law.

In a separate statement, APNU also called for Rodrigues to tender her resignation immediately to allow for an unfettered, impartial, and credible investigation. The party noted that the accusations leveled against the former housing minister raise serious and troubling questions that can no longer be ignored.

It pointed out that in January 2025, the Speaker of the National Assembly, Manzoor Nadir imposed restrictions on the use of the term “corruption” and related expressions within parliamentary proceedings. Words and phrases such as “corruption,” “dishonest dealings,” “loot,” and “runnings” were barred from use. “These developments speak volumes about the impact of APNU’s campaign and the discomfort it has caused within the corridors of power,” APNU argued.

It went on to highlight that Rodrigues told the National Assembly that she came from humble beginnings and that her family was part of the working class. “Against that backdrop, the revelation that, after just five years as a government minister, she has reportedly accumulated significant wealth and valuable assets here at home and abroad is deeply concerning and demands a full, independent investigation,” the party stated.

Moreover, it reasoned that what is currently in the public space regarding the speed and scale of this wealth accumulation is nothing short of “frightening.”

It noted that the volume, detail, and apparent documentary nature of the evidence being discussed have shaken public confidence and in the absence of a transparent and credible investigation, Guyanese are left with no choice but to draw conclusions.

APNU believes that the matter is not about political rivalry or personal attacks, but is rooted in integrity in public office, accountability, and the obligation of those entrusted with power to demonstrate that their wealth was lawfully acquired. In fact, the party reminded that public officials are required to meet a higher standard, particularly when their personal narratives and financial realities appear to be fundamentally at odds.

As such, APNU urged, “Given the seriousness of the allegations and the damning nature of the evidence now in circulation, we call on Susan Rodrigues to immediately resign from her ministerial post to allow for an unfettered, impartial, and credible investigation.”

Like WIN, the group noted that the president must remove Rodrigues from office, should she fail to step down, in keeping with his constitutional responsibility to protect the integrity of the executive and restore public trust in governance.

APNU pointed out that Guyanese deserve answers and silence, delay, or dismissal of these concerns only deepens suspicion and erodes confidence in democratic institutions.

Meanwhile, WIN also called on the Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha to resign over similar acts of corruption. The party accused the minister and family of pocketing millions from public office.

It said, “These are not isolated incidents but part of a pattern that highlights systemic misuse of the office for personal gain. Whether through corrupt public office or through narcotrafficking, we call for a thorough investigation and the full penalty of the law following the resignations.”

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• APNU, corruption, Manzoor Nadir, opposition, Susan Rodrigues, We Invest in Nationhood

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