Opposition rubbishes Speaker’s reasons for denying Motion on bribery allegations against VP

Opposition rubbishes Speaker’s reasons for denying Motion on bribery allegations against VP

The APNU+AFC Opposition today expressed its displeasure over a recent decision of the Speaker of the National Assembly, Manzoor Nadir to disallow a motion filed by the Opposition Leader, which called for an international investigation into allegations of bribery and corruption involving Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo.

In denying the motion last Thursday, the Speaker said the allegations are mere media allegations and he cannot reduce the National Assembly to debate the allegations. Today, Opposition Member Ganesh Mahipaul said the reasons behind the Speaker’s decision hold no merit.

“The Speaker claimed that the Su-gate affair was merely another allegation of corruption made in the press and, as such, did not reach the threshold as an urgent matter of national importance. The ridiculousness of the Speaker’s decision is clear-cut when one considers that in the Vice News reports, the allegations of bribe-taking, influence-peddling, and money laundering involving VP Jagdeo are supported by self-incriminatory utterances made on hidden camera by Su Zhirong”, Mahipaul said.

He reminded that the President, the Vice President himself and the Minister of Home Affairs all committed to an investigation being carried out owing to the seriousness of the allegations.

There has been no move to hold any such probe.

The growing calls from Civil Society and others for an inquiry or investigation. Former Auditor General Anand Goolsarran has called for an investigation. The independent media have called for an investigation. Many citizens likewise. Since the sitting, we have seen TIGI and Ralph Ramkarran joining their call for an inquiry. The Guyanese people themselves want a proper investigation.

Mahipaul said the Opposition remains relentless in its call for the investigation and for the Vice President to step down.

The allegations against Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo were contained in an undercover Vice News investigation.

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