APNU drags TSC appointments to court

Jan 21, 2026 News

…says Pres. Ali bypassed Constitution in power grab

(Kaieteur News) – Parliamentary leader of A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), Dr. Terrence Campbell, on Tuesday filed an application for judicial review and constitutional relief in the Demerara High Court, seeking to quash the appointment of members of the Teaching Service Commission (TSC).

The application challenges the legality of the appointments, arguing that three members were appointed without the constitutionally required consultation with the leader of the opposition.

Parliamentary leader of A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), Dr. Terrence Campbell.

On December 31, seven members of the TSC were sworn in for a new three-year term by President Irfaan Ali. The reappointed members include former chairperson Doodmatie Singh, former deputy chairperson Shafiran Bhajan, and commissioners Joan Ann David-Monkhouse, Lancelot Baptiste, Satti Jaisierisingh, Maydha Persaud, and Mohammed Saddam Hussain. These appointments were made at a time when no leader of the opposition was in place.

Following the swearing-in, several political parties raised concerns, contending that the appointments were unconstitutional. The We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) party strongly criticised President Ali’s decision, warning that it violated Article 207 of the Constitution and contributed to what it described as a dangerous erosion of democratic norms. The party in a statement said the appointments were made in “clear disregard” of the constitutional requirement that the President consult meaningfully with the Leader of the Opposition before appointing three members of the TSC.

Additionally, opposition member of parliament and APNU spokesperson on Local Government, Regional Development, Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Ganesh Mahipaul, also condemned the process, arguing that it reflects a broader pattern of constitutional erosion under the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) administration.

In a press statement on Tuesday, APNU confirmed that it had officially filed the court application, noting that the action was taken in the public interest to uphold constitutional compliance and reinforce the role of parliamentary participation.

The party pointed to Article 207 of the Constitution, which mandates that appointments to the TSC must include meaningful consultation with the leader of the opposition. Dr. Campbell argued that this requirement was not met.

“It is my firm belief, supported by legal advice, that the president’s appointment of three members to the TSC—despite the absence of an elected leader of the opposition—constitutes a grave misunderstanding of our constitutional framework. The constitution expressly requires that meaningful consultation must occur before any appointments are made under Article 207(2)(d). This critical requirement was unilaterally bypassed by the president, contravening the foundational principles that guide our democracy,” Dr. Campbell explained.

Dr. Campbell further contended that the absence of an opposition leader does not empower the president to dispense with constitutional safeguards. “Effective governance requires adherence to constitutional processes, and it is essential that the rights of opposition members of parliament are respected,” he said.

President Irfaan Ali along with the newly sworn in members of the Teaching Service Commission.

He also noted that on previous occasions, the PPP government had made arrangements for the election of a leader of the opposition prior to appointing TSC members. Dr. Campbell claimed there is no public record indicating the president, speaker/ deputy speakers, ministers and members of parliament on the government side, have said, or done, anything to encourage the Speaker to convene a meeting for the election of a new leader of the opposition as required by the parliamentary process.

“These appointments undermine our constitutional framework and set a dangerous precedent that threatens the integrity of parliamentary democracy in Guyana,” Dr. Campbell said. “I am therefore seeking the intervention of the high court to quash these unconstitutional appointments, not only to correct a single decision but to preserve the democratic principles that underpin our system of governance.”

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APNU, Demerara High Court, Teaching Service Commission, Terrence Campbell

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