APNU to Support WIN Leader Azruddin Mohamed as Leader of the Opposition

A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Parliamentary Leader Dr. Terrence Campbell announced Friday that his coalition will support the election of Azruddin Mohamed, leader of the We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) party, as Leader of the Opposition, clearing the way for Monday’s vote at 10:00 a.m., ahead of the reading of the 2026 Budget.

Campbell said APNU, which holds 12 seats in the 65-member National Assembly, will not field a candidate, leaving Mohamed as the sole opposition nominee. The Forward Guyana Movement (FGM) holds one seat, while the governing People’s Progressive Party (PPP) controls 36 seats. Campbell stated “It is our [APNU] expectation that Mr. Mohamed will be elected as the Leader of the Opposition,

The election follows Article 184(1) of the Constitution of Guyana, which stipulates that the Leader of the Opposition must be elected by non-government Members of Parliament. This process has been delayed since the 13th Parliament convened on November 3, 2025  after the September 1, 2025 General  and Regional Elections, drawing widespread criticism that there may be a collusion between the PPP Executive and the PPP-elected  Speaker, Manzoor Nadir, to prevent Mohamed’s election.

Mohamed, whose leadership bid comes while he is battling an extradition case in the local courts, has faced intense political scrutiny. In a show of pressure, WIN staged a protest on Tuesday evening outside Speaker Nadir’s residence, which reportedly prompted the Speaker to announce the election date that same evening.

Meanwhile, reports circulating ahead of the vote suggested that some WIN MPs might defect, potentially denying Mohamed the necessary support. In an invited comment to Village Voice News, Mohamed denied the report, affirming the MPs are holding strong and remain united.

WIN emerged as the largest opposition party in the 2025 elections, securing 16 seats, surpassing APNU’s 12 and FGM’s single seat. Mohamed has indicated he expects a smooth voting process on Monday and pledged to prioritise oversight of the upcoming budget and to represent the interests of all Guyanese.

The Monday vote marks a critical moment in formalising parliamentary leadership, coming months after delays and public criticism over the handling of the opposition leadership process.