Speaker stands by his position on Leader of the Opposition

Speaker of the National Assembly Manzoor Nadir is standing by his position that fugitive offender Azruddin Mohamed is not fit for the post of Opposition Leader, given that he faces extradition over several indictable charges he faces in the United States.

The Speaker’s position follows a meeting he had with diplomats today.

Nadir has clarified that his engagement with members of the diplomatic community on Thursday focused on Parliamentary processes and not on any personality.

Nadir and the diplomats met on Thursday at the Public Buildings, Brickdam.

“We discussed how Parliament operates. We also discussed how office holders are elected but never discussed personalities,” Nadir said in a video shared on Facebook by the National Communications Network.

The Speaker further noted that the meeting addressed the election of the Opposition Leader but did not fixate on any personality.

However, he raised concerns that some reporters “ambushed” the diplomats after the meeting. He said the “meeting among very good friends” may have been misconstrued but maintained that the engagement was a friendly, cordial one.

Nadir also said he engaged a representative of the Private Sector.

Days ago, defended his stewardship of Parliament, in a nationally televised address that also condemned what he described as “violent, vicious and unprecedented” attacks against him by We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) leader Azruddin Mohamed. He also raised concerns about some news reports and statements made by few members of the diplomatic corps.