‘Speaker buckles under pressure’ …Election of Opposition Leader set for Monday

Jan 21, 2026 News

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(Kaieteur News) – Amid stepped up calls for him to convene a meeting of non-governmental MPs to elect a leader of the opposition, Speaker of the National Assembly Manzoor Nadir on Tuesday evening broke his silence declaring that it will be held on Monday at 10 am– on the day the Government of Guyana is expected to present its 2026 Budget.

Nadir made the disclosure during a live broadcast, several hours after the leader of We Invest in Nationhood (WIN), Azruddin Mohamed and others visited the Parliament Building to seek clarity on when the meeting would be held.

Nadir’s comments also follows months of the main opposition party WIN calling on the Speaker to convene the meeting with the non-governmental members of parliament since the 13th Parliament opened on November 3, 2025. The issue had also attracted comments from diplomatic representatives from the United States, United Kingdom, France, Canada, and the European Union (EU).

Addressing the issue, Nadir said that over the past few months, he has been bombarded with “vile aspersions” particularly by WIN’s leader and his party supporters. He noted that in his more than 45 years of public life, including 33 years as an elected official, he has never experienced such attacks despite his acknowledged contributions to humanity, democracy, the rule of law, and service to the people.

“I have every intention to continuing in my tenure as Speaker to honour and uphold the contribution of the Cooperative of Guyana without fear or favour, affection or ill-will,” he said.

However, he added, “I have an obligation to preserve the dignity of the house.”

The Speaker noted that he had planned to convene the meeting with opposition parliamentarians following his recent trip to New Delhi, India, where he participated in the Commonwealth Parliamentary Officials Conference (CPOC). He added that he had intended to call the meeting regardless of how the vote would go. He also took aim at WIN’s leader, noting that the likelihood of Mohamed becoming the Leader of the Opposition could result in a stain on Guyana’s parliament.

Mohamed, who is sanctioned by the United States and currently in a legal battle in the local courts over an extradition request, was among 16 WIN members sworn in as Members of Parliament on November 3, 2025.  With WIN controlling 16 of the 29 opposition seats alongside A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and Forward Movement Guyana (FGM), it is presumed Mohamed will be elected Leader of the Opposition.

Nadir said, “If the opposition MPs see it morally right to elect an ‘international fugitive’ as the country’s opposition leader, then the stain on our parliament and our country rests solely with them. This likelihood has been unprecedented in our west minister parliamentary system.”

Further, the Speaker acknowledged the diplomatic community’s historic support for democracy in Guyana. However, he responded to comments made by U.S. Ambassador Nicole Theriot and Canadian High Commissioner Sébastien Sigouin, who were among several diplomats weighing in on the issue.

Ambassador Theriot had said, “We all recognise the importance of a functioning opposition as part of any legislative body. I join my EU and British colleagues in encouraging the convening of Parliament and the election of the Leader of the Opposition as soon as possible so all those elected by the people of Guyana can begin performing their constitutionally designated duties. An active Parliament is important for Guyana’s continued growth and development which will benefit all the people of Guyana.”

Nadir responded, “To the US Ambassador to Guyana I ask, who is the leader of the opposition in your country. Does the absence of an opposition leader interfere with your country democratic process?”

He also addressed Commissioner Sigouin, saying, “To my dear friend Sébastien the Canadian High Commissioner. Your great democracy took six months to produce a budget last year and your country has the unique distinction of having a person who is never elected parliament serve as a prime minister. The person imposed on the citizens of Canada by the former prime minister Justin Trudeau.”

Commissioner Sigouin had called for the protection and strengthening of democratic principles, good governance and the rule of law. He stated: “The appointment of the Leader of the Opposition and the scheduling of parliamentary sittings are matters for Guyana’s constitutional actors to resolve in accordance with the law. I am confident that Guyana’s democratic traditions and institutions will address these issues and ensure that Parliament can carry out its important work on behalf of the people of Guyana.”

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• Election, Nicole Theriot, Opposition Leader, Sébastien Sigouin

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