Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, on Tuesday night weighed in on the election of Guyana’s next Leader of the Opposition, warning that the elevation of an internationally indicted fugitive to the post would amount to a “grave indictment” of the country.
The election of Guyana’s next Leader of the Opposition is set for Monday, January 26, Speaker of the National Assembly, Manzoor Nadir announced during a live televised broadcast on the National Communications Network (NCN) on Tuesday night.a
Azruddin Mohamed is expected to be elected Leader of the Opposition, despite being sanctioned and indicted in the United States and currently facing extradition proceedings.
Nandlall described the prospect of an internationally sanctioned and indicted individual becoming Leader of the Opposition as unprecedented and deeply damaging.
“It is an indictment on our country, an indictment on the English-speaking Caribbean, for a US-sanctioned person, a fugitive offender, a person indicted by a jury in the United States of America for a number of international financial crimes, and whose extradition is being sought, to possibly become the Leader of the Opposition of our country,” he said.
According to the Attorney General, such a development would also be an indictment on Guyana’s parliamentary system, the Constitution, and potentially the wider Commonwealth.
“We are making history for all the wrong reasons,” Nandlall warned.
He said the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) has taken a firm and principled position against such an outcome, grounding its stance in respect for the rule of law.
“The People’s Progressive Party, the party of Cheddi Jagan, is proud to stand in opposition to such a person being elevated to that high post,” Nandlall said, adding that history would vindicate the party’s position.
“This party has always recorded its position on these matters. We are always on the right side of the law, and on this matter, we are proud to record our opposition to a fugitive offender being elevated to that post.”
Nandlall underscored the constitutional significance of the Opposition Leader’s role, describing it as effectively that of an “alternative president” of the country.
“We are yet to understand and yet to fully appreciate what impact his election and holding that post will have on our country,” he said.
He also pointed to signals from the United States Ambassador that there could be repercussions if such an appointment were to take place, while making clear that the Government did not elect the individual in question and does not support his elevation.
“Those who will vote to support him will be judged for their position,” Nandlall said, adding that history will record who stood where on the issue and the role each person played in placing such an individual in a high constitutional office.
Nandlall acknowledged that he has faced criticism for the position he has taken but said he remains unapologetic.
“I have taken this position for a long time, and I am proud of it,” he said.
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