By Comrade Ikhuenbor Felix Igbinevbo (Mr. Figo)
Question: Mr. Figo, are you now a member of the ADC?
Answer: CAPITAL LETTER NO! I am not a member of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), and I have no intention of joining any political party.
Question: Why, then, are you now supporting ADC? I thought you intended to support people across different political parties.
Yes, I initially intended to support credible individuals across different political parties, irrespective of their political affiliations. However, after engaging with different stakeholders, examining the political landscape and conducting my own independent assessment, I came to a clear conclusion: ADC is presently the only opposition political platform that, in my assessment, has maintained the independence necessary to challenge the APC.
When I say independence, I mean genuine political independence, free from external sponsorship, manipulation and deliberate efforts to compromise the internal structures of opposition parties.
Let me make something clear: I am a person who is very intentional and calculative about my political decisions. I have friends in the APC, and my opposition to the party does not affect my personal relationships with them. Political disagreement does not automatically translate into personal enmity.
However, friendship must not prevent me from speaking about what I observe in the political environment.
The APC has pursued a deliberate strategy of weakening, compromising and infiltrating opposition political parties. This is not an isolated development. It is a systematic political operation that has affected opposition structures across the country and continues to undermine the credibility of alternative political platforms.
The PDP: An Opposition Party That Has Lost Its Independence
The APC’s political strategy began with the PDP, and the consequences are evident in the state of the party today.
Although there are still some credible individuals within the PDP who are genuinely making efforts to rebuild the party, including a few people I can identify in Edo State, the party’s national political structure has been compromised to a point where its capacity to function as an independent opposition is seriously undermined.
The influence and political activities of certain individuals, particularly the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, have further exposed the crisis of independence within the PDP.
My position is straightforward: the PDP, under the prevailing circumstances and with the influence of the Wike-led political bloc, can no longer command the confidence expected of an independent opposition platform. In practical political terms, the party has become increasingly indistinguishable from an extension of the APC’s political interests.
I am not saying there are no good people in the PDP. I am saying that the party’s compromised political leadership has weakened its credibility as an independent opposition.
The Labour Party: A Platform I Have No Interest in Revisiting
As far as I am concerned, the Labour Party is no longer a platform I consider worth discussing in this context. I have moved on, and I do not intend to waste time revisiting its internal political circumstances.
The NDC: An Alternative Undermined by Political Infiltration
The NDC could have provided another alternative opposition platform. Unfortunately, the developments surrounding the party following Peter Obi’s entry have exposed serious weaknesses in its internal political structure.
The absence of a sufficiently established and protected internal structure created an opportunity for external political interests to penetrate the party.
Let me state this categorically: APC-backed political interests have sponsored individuals into opposition platforms, including the NDC, to infiltrate, destabilise and compromise their internal structures. This strategy involves positioning individuals to influence party leadership, secure candidacies and weaken the ability of such parties to operate independently.
The internal resistance, disagreements and leadership crises now surrounding the NDC must be understood against this wider political background.
I am not speaking from casual political speculation. These are conclusions from my observations, research, political engagements and fact-finding.
I owe nobody an apology for expressing my position.
I cannot, in good conscience, encourage my followers to invest their political energy in a platform whose internal independence has become a serious concern.
Why ADC?
I took my time to examine the ADC, its political leadership, its emerging structures and the individuals seeking political opportunities under its platform.
My assessment is that ADC has, so far, resisted the level of external political control and manipulation that has weakened other opposition parties.
Look at the political developments across the country. Look at the movement of individuals from the APC into other political parties, the sponsorship of candidates and the attempts to influence party executives. These developments are part of a deliberate strategy to ensure that opposition parties are weakened from within.
There are individuals who move into opposition parties with political backing and sponsorship from the APC, not necessarily to strengthen those parties but to secure influence, control their structures and compromise their capacity to challenge the ruling party.
This is precisely why I have become more deliberate about the platform I am willing to recommend to people who genuinely want to participate in opposition politics.
For now, ADC is the only opposition political platform I have identified that offers the level of political independence I am looking for.
That is my assessment, and I stand by it.
My Position on ADC Membership and Political Participation
Let nobody misunderstand my position.
I am not joining ADC. I am not joining any political party. I have made that decision, and I am comfortable with it.
However, my personal decision not to become a card-carrying member of any political party does not prevent me from encouraging other people to participate in the political process.
I have friends, followers, associates and supporters across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. Some are interested in politics, some want to contest elections, and others want to contribute to the political development of their communities and the country.
For those who genuinely want to participate in opposition politics and are looking for a political platform, my recommendation at this time is ADC.
I encourage them to consider registering with the party, becoming card-carrying members and participating actively in its democratic structures.
My decision is not based on any personal ambition to secure a political appointment, party position or electoral ticket. I have no such interest.
My position is informed by my assessment of the political realities confronting Nigeria and the urgent need for a credible opposition capable of providing an alternative to the APC-led government.
Atiku Abubakar and the 2027 General Election
This also explains why I identify Atiku Abubakar as my preferred opposition candidate for the 2027 presidential election.
My position is informed by my assessment of his political experience, preparation, understanding of governance and the economic challenges confronting Nigeria.
I am from the South-South. I understand the arguments surrounding regional interests and political rotation. However, I do not believe that regional sentiment should take precedence over competence, experience, preparation and the capacity to address the country’s challenges.
My support for Atiku Abubakar is therefore a conscious political position, just as my support for ADC is based on my assessment of the opposition political landscape.
Let me conclude by repeating what I have consistently maintained:
Mr. Figo is not a politician seeking a political platform. I am an independent public-interest advocate who believes in political accountability, credible opposition and the right of Nigerians to have meaningful alternatives.
I can support individuals across political parties without becoming a member of those parties. I can maintain friendships with APC members without supporting the APC government. I can encourage Nigerians to register with ADC without becoming an ADC member myself.
These positions are neither contradictory nor confusing. They are deliberate.
For now, my political assessment remains unchanged: ADC is the opposition platform I am prepared to recommend to Nigerians seeking an alternative political home, and Atiku Abubakar is the presidential candidate I support for the 2027 general election.
A Final Word: I Have Spoken, and I Stand by My Position
I am fully aware that this position will attract criticism, disagreements and possibly coordinated attacks from supporters of the APC, PDP, Labour Party and NDC. I am neither afraid nor worried about any of that. I have expressed my position based on my observations, research, political engagements and independent assessment. I understand that not everyone will agree with me, and I have no problem with that.
However, let me make one thing absolutely clear: I am not going to spend my time responding to unnecessary provocations, personal attacks, insults or negative exchanges from individuals who disagree with my position. I have said what I wanted to say, and I have made my position clear. I am not seeking anyone’s approval, validation or permission to hold this position.
I have made up my mind, and I stand firmly by what I have said. Those who disagree are free to express their opinions, just as I have exercised my right to express mine. But I will not allow unnecessary political arguments and distractions to take my attention away from issues that matter.
My position has been stated. My reasons have been explained. I have nothing further to prove, and I owe nobody an endless debate.
That is my position. It is deliberate, independent and firmly held.
#MrFigoSpeaks
Comrade Ikhuenbor Felix Igbinevbo (Mr. Figo)
National Coordinator and Convener, Atiku & Amaechi National Emergency Rescue Team (AANERT)
+2348063085664
mrfigo21@gmail.com
