Azruddin Mohamed of We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) was declared Guyana’s new Leader of the Opposition on Monday following an election held among Opposition Members of Parliament at the Parliament Buildings.
The election, convened by Speaker of the National Assembly Manzoor Nadir, took place ahead of the presentation of the 2026 National Budget, formally establishing the leadership of the parliamentary opposition within the 13th Parliament.
Amanza Walton-Desir, the lone Member of Parliament from the Forward Guyana Movement, cast her vote alongside the 16 MPs from We Invest in Nationhood. However, the process was disrupted when 12 MPs from the Alliance for Change and the People’s National Congress (APNU+) exited the meeting after the nomination was made. The election was conducted by a show of hands within the parliamentary chambers.
It is important to note that members of the media have historically been barred from witnessing the meetings held to elect the Leader of the Opposition, and on Monday, they were again denied access to the Parliament buildings and its compound.
Outside, supporters gathered and erupted in cheers when Mohamed arrived, celebrating his new position once again as he exited following the conclusion of the election.
Amid this political development, Azruddin Mohamed and his father, Nazar Mohamed, are currently facing extradition proceedings in the United States on multiple charges, including money laundering, wire and mail fraud, bribery, and tax evasion. The implications of these charges raise questions about the future impact on his role in opposition leadership.
