Former Member of Parliament and longstanding People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) member Jermaine Figueira has declared his full support for President Dr. Irfaan Ali’s bid for re-election and confirmed he will be actively involved in the campaign leading up to the September 1, 2025 General and Regional Elections.
Figueira, who resigned from both the PNCR and the National Assembly on June 28, announced his political shift this morning, in an appearance on the Starting Point podcast, describing President Ali as a leader committed to unity and national progress.
“There’s no leader in this country who hasn’t erred and President Irfaan Ali is no exception,” Figueira said. “But I believe that his leadership far outweighs his imperfections.”
He emphasised that his support is not symbolic, declaring, “My endorsement of him goes beyond rhetoric. I’m going to actively involve myself in his re-election campaign.”
Figueira’s public endorsement of the sitting President comes just weeks after a dramatic exit from the PNCR, the main opposition party. His departure was accompanied by sharp criticism of the party’s direction, accusing it of abandoning its moral compass, embracing ethnic politics, and failing to rise to the occasion during moments of national crisis.
The move triggered swift reaction from PNCR Leader and Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton, who, during a press conference following the resignation, dismissed Figueira as a ‘no political heavyweight’ Norton’s remark underscored ongoing internal tensions within the PNCR, which has been grappling with defections and criticism from within its own ranks.
Figueira’s pivot to support President Ali marks a notable realignment in the political landscape and suggests growing fractures within the opposition. His endorsement adds a new dimension to the contest, especially given his past role as a parliamentarian and once-prominent face within the PNCR.
