— VPAC’s Dorwain Bess says Mohamed’s recent conduct raises questions about leadership

VPAC’s Dorwain Bess has called on political leaders to prioritise the interests of the people, questioning the judgment of Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed following an incident involving an ongoing extradition proceeding.
In a statement issued amid reports concerning Mohamed and a key witness in the proceedings, Bess said the incident raised concerns about the standards of conduct expected of someone holding the country’s highest opposition office.
According to reports, Mohamed was in a dark-coloured vehicle with heavily tinted windows, circling the residence of Senior Superintendent Prem Narine, Head of the Special Branch and a key witness in the proceedings, around midnight on Monday.
Mohamed reportedly explained that he was documenting what he considered to be excessive police security to highlight the use of public resources.
Bess said concerns about the deployment of public resources could have been raised through more appropriate channels. He noted that filming and circling the home of a key witness at that hour was likely to raise serious questions about how the situation could be perceived.
“That concern, if genuine, could have been pursued through more appropriate channels. Filming and circling the home of a key witness in ongoing legal proceedings at that hour was a decision that was bound to raise serious concerns about how the situation could be perceived,” Bess wrote.
He said the incident highlighted the broader responsibility of political leaders to exercise sound judgment, restraint and accountability while challenging the Government and scrutinising public expenditure.
Bess added that Guyana needed an Opposition that challenged the Government in ways that advanced the interests of citizens, noting that leadership should extend beyond confrontation to meaningful service to the country.
“The wider question for Guyana is one of political leadership. An Opposition Leader has a responsibility to challenge the government, scrutinise public expenditure and hold those in authority accountable. But that responsibility also demands judgment, restraint and an understanding of the consequences of one’s actions,” Bess added.