By Opeyemi Adelakun
The presidential candidate of the Peoples Redemption Party, PRP, in the 2027 general election, Donald Duke, has warned opposition parties against contesting the presidential election separately.
Duke, a former governor of Cross River State, said defeating President Bola Tinubu would require opposition politicians to put aside personal ambitions and unite around a common political strategy.
Speaking in an interview with Symfoni TV, Duke argued that the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, would naturally enjoy the advantages that come with controlling the Federal Government.
According to him, opposition candidates should not underestimate the influence of the presidency over key state institutions during an election.
He said, “We can’t compare ourselves to China; even if the APC did nothing, they are the party in power. If there is a problem on that day, the IG of Police will not go to any of the candidates, but to the president, so everything is in favour of the incumbent; respect that.
“The only way you can seriously tackle the incumbent is to come together and have a voice; otherwise we will be factionalised. So when you talk of rigging, I think we are rigging it against ourselves, and because of our ego, we need to come together.”
Duke further warned opposition politicians against underestimating Tinubu’s political strength, using a metaphor to describe the challenge of defeating the incumbent president.
“Bola Tinubu is not an average politician. You don’t go to fight a lion who also has horns. Can you imagine a lion with horns? It is already a dangerous animal. Then you now give it horns, and you say go and fight it with a knife and fork. You will be the dinner,” he said.
The former governor, who served in Cross River State from 1999 to 2007, also outlined his philosophy on governance, saying competence and integrity should take precedence over political loyalty after elections.
According to Duke, winning an election should mark the end of political calculations and the beginning of effective governance.
“Politics ends after the election. Governance begins with assembling the best hands to move the country forward,” he said.
He argued that campaign supporters should not automatically be rewarded with government appointments if they lack the competence required for the positions.
“It’s not those who rallied around you during the campaign that should determine the quality of governance. Politics is over; governance is about getting the best team,” he added.
Duke said every political appointee should be guided by the responsibility to improve the country rather than pursue personal or partisan interests.
“Every appointee must have one creed: leave the country better than you met it,” he said.
On the economy, the PRP candidate called for broad reforms to address Nigeria’s financial challenges, including measures aimed at reducing borrowing costs, encouraging productive investment and strengthening the private sector.
He criticised high interest rates and rising public debt while questioning government spending priorities.
Duke also advocated increased investment in electricity, agriculture, healthcare, education and the judiciary, describing the sectors as essential to improving productivity, expanding opportunities and restoring public confidence.
He further called for reforms in revenue generation, energy policy and the justice system.
Duke added that Nigeria possesses the human and natural resources needed for rapid development but said achieving this would require disciplined leadership, accountability, competence and a sustained commitment to the national interest.
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