Core members of the emerging political party We Invest In Nationhood (WIN) have intensified their grassroots campaign across several indigenous communities in Region Nine, according to a statement released by regional representative Mark Anthony Rodrigues.
The party, led by philanthropist and business magnate Azruddin Mohamed, is reportedly receiving “very encouraging support” from the electorate in the Rupununi region, particularly in Lethem and the surrounding St. Ignatius village, as it prepares for Guyana’s upcoming General and Regional Elections scheduled for September 1, 2025.
“Team leaders have been receiving very encouraging support from the region’s electorate in favour of WIN party for the upcoming general elections,” Rodrigues noted.
A new WIN party office has been established in Lethem, now staffed and equipped for political campaigning. According to Rodrigues, the office is also being used to conduct “intense training for regional candidates, polling agents, and other functionaries.”
“The ongoing training at present for We Invest in Nationhood party at their office in Lethem is to better equip members with the requisite knowledge to effectively carry out their duties during the elections’ period, particularly on E-day; amidst the skullduggery that is expected to be repeated by the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C),” the statement read.
Rodrigues described the support for the newly formed populist party as “overwhelming,” and noted that people from remote indigenous communities, including from Masakenari village in the Wai-Wai territory—the farthest in the Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo region—are actively seeking information and ways to join the WIN campaign.
Despite public allegations and attacks against Mohamed from the governing PPP/C—accusations which include tax evasion, criminal activity, and even treason—Rodrigues said these have not weakened the party’s growing support in the hinterland regions.
“Despite attempts by the PPP/C to defame, jail and mudsling Azruddin Mohamed from his rising popularity in the political arena, [they have] so far been ineffective from his rising support from the indigenous and hinterland regions population,” the statement said.
Rodrigues also highlighted Mohamed’s recent outreach to remote communities as a major milestone. On June 5 and 6, Mohamed became the first presidential candidate to visit the riverine villages of Apoteri and Rewa in the North Rupununi sub-district.
“During his interaction with villagers… a number of issues were raised, where some on-the-spot responses were made by Azruddin Mohamed to ease some of the burdens inflicted on residents of the Rupununi, from continued abuse, neglect and empty promises made by the present PPP/C administration,” the statement added.
Rodrigues described the WIN support base in the Rupununi as “evidently widening in a very short period of time,” and indicated that plans are in place for Mohamed to continue his outreach efforts, despite what he called “efforts to restrict” his political activity.
He alleged that the PPP/C government has attempted to limit Mohamed’s movement by discouraging air charter companies from flying him to remote areas and threatening job security for public servants who support or attend WIN party meetings.
“While the PPP/C government continues their fearmongering tactics which targets intended supporters and to dismiss government workers of their jobs… threatening to cease operations of aviation transportation services… continues to bear no fruit,” Rodrigues stated.
He concluded by noting that international observers have recently visited the WIN office in Lethem, where party officials highlighted these concerns.
