Following disclosures about President Irfaan Ali’s massive farm and ranch at Long Creek, along the Linden Soesdyke Highway, APNU is calling for him to demit Office to facilitate a forensic investigation. The party argues that this step is necessary to facilitate an impartial and thorough investigation into land dealings and alleged misconduct.
APNU Member of Parliament Sherod Duncan expressed concerns over recent revelations involving the president, asserting that the gravity of the situation warrants decisive action. “That is why we have gone to the extent, because of the seriousness and the gravity, to say that the president must resign, must demit office to facilitate a thorough investigation,” Duncan stated.
Duncan criticized the president’s response to Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed details about the land and farming operations, stating it lacked any credible evidence or proof to counter the claims. He pointed out that the president did not disclose details about the financiers, the bank involved, or the terms of the property in question. Instead, the President claimed that the property’s size was far less than what was alleged, but failed to specify the actual size. “He said this is far less than half of what is being alleged,” Duncan noted, questioning the transparency of the president’s statement. “What is that? From a sitting head of state, a man who comports himself to be a global leader, to be caught up in such a scandal. This is one for the books.”
The MP highlighted the scandal’s alarming nature, especially given the president’s stature as a global leader. Duncan remarked, “This is certainly one for the books, and we understand why, with all the serious revelations of recent, why no action is taken because this thing rots, it stinks at the very head.” He emphasized that the entire issue exposes deep-seated corruption at the highest level of government, pointing out that “the seriousness and the gravity” of the allegations require urgent and decisive action.
In related comments, MP Dexter Todd suggested that the president’s attempt to address the matter on Thursday may have further damaged his reputation. Todd said, “I believe the president attempted yesterday, if I’m correct, to bring some perspective to this matter, but I think he has further damaged his reputation in this entire fiasco.”
He called for the president to step aside and allow a comprehensive investigation, citing unanswered questions and the need for transparency. “It heightens the whole call as to why the president should maybe step aside and allow a very thorough investigation in relation to this matter, because many of the questions have not been answered,” Todd stated.
Moreover, Todd pointed out the disparity between the president’s dealings and the plight of ordinary Guyanese. He referenced cases where citizens have applied for leaseholds on the Linden Soesdyke Highway, asking for just one acre to pursue their livelihoods, yet have been left waiting. “We have thousands of Guyanese who have made applications for leases on the Linden Soesdyke Highway and have not been given,” Todd explained. “They’re asking for just one acre. Some of them are asking just to do business and to develop themselves.”
In contrast, the president is alleged to have acquired over 100 acres of land, raising concerns about fairness and misuse of power. “When one person is able to acquire that large amount of over 100 acres, it might be more,” Todd added.
“The president is saying that the leader of the opposition’s estimation might be wrong, but he has not said what the amount is,” Todd said.
