Speaker of the National Assembly Manzoor Nadir has announced that the election of Guyana’s Leader of the Parliamentary Opposition will take place on Monday, 26 January 2026, at 10:00 AM, and has issued a strong appeal for responsibility and restraint in the selection process.
In a national address broadcast on the National Communications Network, Mr Nadir revealed that he has formally directed the Clerk of the National Assembly of Guyana to convene all non-government Members of Parliament to elect the Opposition Leader.
According to the Speaker, the position carries significant constitutional weight, and those involved must act with care and maturity. He urged opposition MPs to consider not only political interests but also the standing of Parliament and the country’s reputation on the international stage.
Mr Nadir also took the opportunity to rebut claims from sections of the opposition and media that the 13th Parliament has been inactive. He dismissed these assertions as misleading, noting that since the Assembly convened on 3 November, more than 90 parliamentary questions and five motions have already been submitted, processed, and circulated by the Clerk’s office. These facts, he said, clearly demonstrate that Parliament has been functioning.
Reaffirming his role as Speaker, Mr Nadir pledged to uphold the Constitution of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana and to conduct his duties impartially, without bias, pressure, or personal interest. He emphasised that protecting the integrity and dignity of the House remains his foremost obligation.
Addressing comments attributed to members of the diplomatic community, Mr Nadir said that while Guyana has long benefited from international support for strengthening democracy, certain recent views suggesting parliamentary inactivity were based on incomplete or inaccurate information.
Concerns Over Opposition Leadership Candidate
The Speaker expressed deep concern about reports that opposition MPs may support Azurddin Mohamed, leader of the We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) movement, as Opposition Leader, despite his ongoing legal challenges arising from extradition proceedings.
Mr Nadir described the situation as constitutionally troubling and warned that selecting a person facing such circumstances would place Guyana in an unprecedented position within the Westminster parliamentary tradition. He cautioned that such a move could seriously harm the country’s international reputation.
He emphasised that if opposition MPs proceeded with such a decision, responsibility for any resulting damage to Parliament’s credibility would rest entirely with them. Drawing on international examples, Mr Nadir argued that elevating individuals facing serious legal issues to high office undermines democratic institutions.
The Speaker also made it clear that he would not be swayed by intimidation or pressure, stating that neither threats nor public agitation would deter him from fulfilling his constitutional duties.
Condemnation of Personal Protests
During his address, Nadir condemned a protest reportedly held outside his private residence, allegedly led by supporters of the WIN leader. He said these actions crossed a serious line, causing distress to his family and violating their right to privacy.
Nadir described the demonstrations as unacceptable personal harassment and insisted that his home should not be a target of political pressure. He reaffirmed that such tactics would not influence his conduct or decisions as Speaker.
Concluding his remarks, Nadir called on all Members of Parliament to approach the upcoming election with a sense of duty, patriotism, and respect for democratic norms, warning that the choices made on January 26 would reflect not only on Parliament but also on Guyana as a whole.