In a statement, labeled as an “Address to the Nation”, Speaker of the National Assembly, Manzoor Nadir, announced that he has set next Monday at 10am as the time when Opposition Members of the National Assembly will meet to elect a Leader of the Opposition.

Nadir’s statement on Tuesday night was broadcast even as the Leader of the WIN party, Azruddin Mohamed and supporters gathered outside his Eccles home in a loud protest calling for him to follow the Constitution and call the meeting to elect an Opposition Leader.

In his broadcast, the Speaker said he has been bombarded with “vile aspersions” which he said were hurled at him by WIN party Leader, Azruddin Mohamed, who he described as “an international fugitive offender”.

“I have every intention of continuing my tenure as Speaker to honour and uphold the Constitution of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, without fear or favour, affection or ill-will. Also, I have an obligation to preserve the dignity of the House”, Nadir said.

Nadir also lashed out at members of the Diplomatic community, who recently called for the election for the Opposition Leader to take place without any further delay. He described their statements as absurd.

“Our 13th Parliament from the time it was convened on November 3rd, has been functioning. In excess of 90 questions and five motions have been received by the Clerk, analyzed, processed and decisions communicated to Opposition members. Among the comments made by some members of the Diplomatic community include the election of the Leader of the Opposition in a speedy manner. To the US Ambassador I ask, who is the Leader of the Opposition in your country. Does the absence of an opposition leader interfere with your country’s democratic process? To my dear friend, Sebastian from the Canadian High Commission, your great great democracy took six months to produce a budget last year, and your country has the unique distinction of having a person who was never elected to Parliament serve as a Prime Minister. A person imposed on the citizens of Canada by the former Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau. We acknowledge with gratitude, much appreciation, the work of the Diplomatic community, historically for the support of democracy in our country”, he said.

Nadir also lashed out at the Stabroek News for its reporting on the issue and repeatedly stated that he is not a fugitive and has never been sanctioned as he described as “nasty”, the statements that have been thrown in his direction by Mohamed and the WIN party.

He also used the broadcast to deny claims of corruption.

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WIN welcomes call by Western Diplomats for election of Opposition Leader to be held without further delay Attorney General says electing Mohamed as Opposition Leader would stain Guyana’s Parliament Mohamed accuses Speaker of colluding with Government to delay election of Opposition Leader No date set for election of Leader of the Opposition