Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) presidential candidate Donald Duke has warned Nigeria’s opposition parties against repeating what he sees as the divisions that affected their performance in the 2023 presidential election.
Duke raised the concern during an interview on Channels Television’s Political Paradigm, while explaining his decision to leave the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for the PRP. (Vanguard News)
The former Cross River State governor pointed to the 2023 election, when Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso contested the presidency on different platforms.
Duke argued that the opposition’s votes being split among several candidates was significant and said a more coordinated approach could have changed the electoral outcome. That is Duke’s political assessment of the 2023 result.
He warned that opposition politicians appear to be heading towards a similar situation ahead of the 2027 election.
According to Duke, political leaders should first agree on the direction they want Nigeria to take before deciding which individual should lead the effort.
He said his preference was to contribute to a political team capable of addressing the country’s challenges, rather than making his personal ambition the main focus.
“I don’t have to be president,” Duke said, while acknowledging that he would still like to occupy the position.
He explained that his larger concern was seeing Nigeria function better, saying the country’s interests should come before individual political ambitions.
Duke’s comments come as opposition politicians and parties continue discussions over possible cooperation ahead of the 2027 general election.
The former governor’s warning adds to the ongoing debate about whether opposition parties can find common ground on policies, strategy and leadership before the next presidential contest.
Source: Channels Television.
