A political confrontation escalated in Guyana on Tuesday as National Assembly Speaker Manzoor Nadir refused to meet with Azruddin Mohamed, leader of the main opposition We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) party, sparking threats of mass street protests. Mohamed had arrived at the Parliament Building in Brickdam seeking clarity on when opposition parliamentarians would convene to formally elect him as Opposition Leader—a position that remains vacant despite his party securing 16 of the 65 parliamentary seats in last year’s general elections. The meeting refusal occurred just days before the scheduled January 26 presentation of the 2026 National Budget. Mohamed initially intended to meet with Clerk of the National Assembly Sherlock Isaacs but encountered Speaker Nadir, who retreated to his office and declined engagement despite Mohamed’s attempts to knock on his door. Parliamentary staff subsequently informed Mohamed and his delegation that the Speaker would not receive them. The WIN leader warned that his party would not tolerate the situation lightly, stating that peaceful protests would be organized if necessary. He referenced international pressure from the United States, Britain, Canada, and the European Union, all of which have emphasized the critical importance of appointing an Opposition Leader for functional democracy. Mohamed highlighted several practical implications of the vacancy, including the inability to restructure the seven-member Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) during ongoing claims and objections processes, and the lack of a physical office for public grievances. While President Irfaan Ali has stated that the election of an Opposition Leader is a matter for opposition lawmakers, Attorney General Anil Nandlall has previously expressed that Mohamed’s potential appointment would be a ‘stain’ on Guyana. This political standoff occurs against the backdrop of legal challenges facing Mohamed and his father, Nazar ‘Shell’ Mohamed, who are contesting extradition to the United States to face charges of wire fraud, mail fraud, and money laundering. Their committal hearing continues on February 5, 2026.