Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Anil Nandlall, SC, has dismissed criticism over the delay in electing a new Leader of the Opposition, saying the matter will be resolved once Speaker of the National Assembly, Manzoor Nadir, returns to the country. He insisted, however, that the public discourse is ignoring what he views as a far more serious issue, the status of the elected parliamentarian expected to assume the post.
U.S.-indicted businessman and leader of the WIN Party Azruddin Mohamed, who is facing extradition to the United States, was tapped to become Leader of the Opposition.
Speaking on his weekly Issues in the News programme, Nandlall addressed growing commentary regarding the delayed election, including an editorial by Stabroek News which argued that the slow pace does not bode well for the democratic process.
“It is common ground that the responsibility to convene the meeting where that election is to be done is that of the Speaker,” Nandlall said, adding that it was publicly known that the Speaker was overseas and that the matter would be addressed upon his return.
While acknowledging that some individuals and political parties have voiced concern, he said there was “no doubt” that the Opposition Leader will be elected once the proper process can be convened.
Greater issue being ignored — ‘fugitive offender’ sitting in Parliament
The Attorney General sharply criticised the unevenness of the debate, arguing that while there is “lamentation” over the delay, there has been silence on what he insists is a far more damaging matter — that the opposition parliamentarian expected to hold the post is a “fugitive offender.”
“I am not seeing the same type of concerns being expressed about Guyana having a Leader of the Opposition who is a fugitive offender and who is the subject of extradition proceedings… indicted on serious charges of international crimes such as money laundering and mail fraud,” Nandlall declared.
He said Guyana now finds itself in unprecedented territory, claiming this is the first time such a situation has arisen not only in Guyana but in the English-speaking Caribbean and possibly the wider Commonwealth.
“That, to me, is an issue far more important than a delay in the election of the Opposition Leader,” Nandlall said. “The stain and the international stigma that will attach to our parliamentary process… will cost us permanent damage.”
Nandlall singled out Stabroek News, saying he believed the newspaper has taken “a discernible slant” on matters concerning the opposition party.
“I expect the same type of lamentations to be expressed, but it is conspicuously absent,” he said.
He added that “law-abiding citizens” who value the integrity of Guyana’s parliamentary institutions should be concerned about an indicted individual not only sitting in the legislature but potentially holding the high office of Opposition Leader.
According to the Attorney General, the delayed vote is a temporary administrative matter that will be rectified when the Speaker returns, while the alleged criminal status of an elected MP would bring long-lasting reputational harm to Guyana.
“This issue ought to feature with greater prominence in our public debates and pronouncements,” Nandlall stressed.
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