Opposition Calls for Probe into Minister Rodrigues’ Assets, Urges Resignation

The A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) on Monday called for the immediate resignation of Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Susan Rodrigues, citing what it described as serious and troubling disclosures now circulating in the public domain regarding her alleged accumulation of wealth.

In a statement issued today, the opposition coalition said it has taken note of “recent disclosures and evidence now circulating in the public domain” which, it contends, raise questions that “can no longer be ignored.” APNU said the allegations against the minister warrant a full, independent investigation.

The coalition reiterated that it has “consistently and unapologetically exposed corruption within the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPPC) Government, including the actions of its friends, families, and favourites,” and noted that since 2020 it has campaigned on an anti-corruption platform, making integrity in public life a central pillar of its political engagement.

APNU also referenced a January 2025 decision by the Speaker Manzoor Nadir of the National Assembly imposing restrictions on the use of the term “corruption” and related expressions during parliamentary proceedings, including words such as “corruption,” “dishonest dealings,” “loot,” and “runnings.” The coalition said those developments “speak volumes about the impact of APNU’s campaign and the discomfort it has caused within the corridors of power.”

The coalition’s statement comes amid public allegations raised by We Invest In Nationhood (WIN) leader, Azruddin Mohamed, who has claimed that Minister Rodrigues is linked to a luxury apartment complex at Peters Hall, East Bank Demerara, and questioned whether the development involved state land or preferential treatment. Claims relating to the scale and speed of her alleged wealth accumulation, along with documents said to support those assertions, have been circulated online and referenced in political discourse.

In the National Assembly, Minister Rodrigues has previously stated that she came from humble, working-class beginnings. APNU said that, against that backdrop, reports that she has accumulated significant wealth and valuable assets locally and abroad after five years in office are “deeply concerning” and demand scrutiny. “What is currently in the public space regarding the speed and scale of this wealth accumulation is nothing short of frightening,” the coalition said, adding that the “volume, detail, and apparent documentary nature of the evidence being discussed have understandably shaken public confidence.”

Minister Rodrigues has denied the allegations, stating that the properties referenced do not belong to her and were not acquired through government land allocations or corrupt practices. She has said that her assets were purchased legally and privately and that she has complied with asset declaration requirements under the Integrity Commission.

APNU maintained that the issue is not one of political rivalry or personal attacks but of integrity, accountability, and the obligation of public officials to demonstrate that their wealth was lawfully acquired. “Public officials are required to meet a higher standard, particularly when their personal narratives and financial realities appear to be fundamentally at odds,” the statement said.

The coalition called on Rodrigues to “immediately resign from her ministerial post to allow for an unfettered, impartial, and credible investigation.” Should she fail to do so, APNU said President Irfaan Ali should remove her from office “in keeping with his constitutional responsibility to protect the integrity of the executive and restore public trust in governance.”

No formal charges or official findings have been announced by investigative or oversight authorities, and no independent probe has been publicly confirmed at this time. APNU said the people of Guyana “deserve answers, transparency, and leadership that is beyond reproach,” warning that silence or delay would further erode confidence in democratic institutions.