Former APNU Member Sherwyane Holder Warns Opposition MPs’ Credibility at Stake Amid Azruddin Mohamed Controversy
Former APNU member Sherwyane Holder has weighed in on the unfolding controversy surrounding extradited businessman Azruddin Mohamed and the pending election of a Leader of the Opposition, backing concerns raised by Speaker of the National Assembly Manzoor Nadir and warning opposition parliamentarians that their credibility is now at stake.
Holder, reacting to comments made by the Speaker Manzoor Nadir prior to the announcement of the date for the election of the Opposition Leader, said that while some persons may be uncomfortable with the Speaker’s position, the facts surrounding Mohamed’s status were officially established and cannot be ignored.
“Some might not be pleased about it, but this fact was officially established by documents presented to Guyana by the US Government, having its origin in a competent court of law in the United States of America,” Holder said.
He went on to caution opposition Members of Parliament against what he described as hypocrisy if they proceed to elect Mohamed while continuing to criticise corruption, drug trafficking and money laundering.
“My humble advice to the sitting MPs on the Opposition benches: it will be hypocritical of you to complain about corruption, drugs or money-laundering if you choose to elect someone to lead you, who has not successfully cleared their name of those very charges. Your credibility is now on the line,” Holder stated.
The comments came against the backdrop of strong remarks from Speaker of the National Assembly Manzoor Nadir, who said he was placed in a difficult constitutional position as it relates to convening the election for the Leader of the Opposition.
“I have a responsibility, as I said earlier, to preserve the dignity of the House,” Nadir said.
He explained that while the Constitution mandates the holding of the election, the circumstances surrounding the presumptive nominee have created serious concerns.
“I have found myself in this difficult position to hold the election of the Leader of the Opposition, when I know that the presumptive leader of the opposition to be elected, Azruddin Mohamed, is an international fugitive,” the Speaker stated.
Nadir reiterated that his foremost obligation is to the integrity of Parliament, stressing repeatedly that the dignity of the House must be upheld.
“I have a responsibility, as I said, to preserve the dignity,” he added.
Despite these concerns, the Speaker subsequently announced a date for the election, a move that has sparked intense public debate and political reaction, particularly within opposition ranks.
The issue has since intensified scrutiny on the opposition’s choice of leadership and raised broader questions about accountability, public trust and the standards expected of those seeking to hold the country’s highest parliamentary offices.
