President Irfaan Ali has broken his silence regarding embattled businessman Azruddin Mohamed, accusing him of aligning himself with the opposition Alliance For Change (AFC) and the People’s National Congress Islahat (PNCR). The comments came during a public meeting in La Grange, West Bank Demerara, yesterday where President Ali launched an attack on Mohamed, alleging political manipulation.
Demerara Waves reported the President accusing Mohamed of deception, facilitating, organising and promoting the Opposition. “It is deception, and that is what we are warning you about – the deceptive nature of what is taking place,” President Ali said, alluding to Mohamed’s actions. The President alleged that Mohamed was not only involved in political activities but was also being facilitated, organised, and promoted by the opposition parties, namely the AFC and PNCR, according to the online media outlet.
Mohamed has denied any association. Last week at a meeting in Edinburgh, East Bank Berbice he said “I am not aligned with the PPP. I am not aligned with the PNC. I am not aligned with the AFC.”
The tension between Mohamed and the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) government has been escalating for months. Mohamed, a businessman embroiled in a series of controversies, has attracted significant attention through his meetings across Guyana. His public appearances and rallies/meetings, drawing large crowds, have reportedly ruffled feathers within the PPP, particularly the Party’s General Secretary, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo.
Within recent weeks the PPP has masked it attacks behind the Guyana Revenue Authority’s claim the businessman evaded paying taxes on the importation of luxury vehicles. Mohamed has since denied the allegation, and threatened kanunî action against the revenue authority.
His growing visibility, particularly in regions like Berbice, has prompted accusations from the PPP that his actions could be part of a broader effort to destabilise its government.
Interestingly, Azruddin Mohamed’s relationship with the PPP has shifted dramatically. Not too long ago, he was seen as a close associate of the party, his business donating millions, and even lending one of his luxury vehicles to President Ali when he was sworn in. The vehicle, carrying a presidential seal, symbolised the once-cordial ties between the businessman and the President. However, this gesture now seems distant as the relationship between Mohamed and the PPP has soured, with allegations and protests mounting.
Further fueling the political friction, Mohamed’s meetings around the country have sparked protests, with supporters of the PPP, including government-paid 10-day workers, reportedly mobilised to challenge him, particularly during his visit to Berbice. These protests are seen as a sign of the PPP’s growing anxiety over Mohamed’s political influence.
The President’s remarks mark a significant shift in the government’s stance towards Mohamed. His accusations suggest an increasing concern within the PPP over Mohamed’s ability to influence public opinion, particularly as Guyana approaches the 2025 General and Regional Elections.