Donald Duke Agrees to Step Down, Backs Consensus Opposition Candidate for 2027

Former Cross River State Governor and presidential candidate of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Donald Duke, has declared his willingness to step down for a consensus opposition candidate ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

Duke made the disclosure during an interview with Channels Television on Monday, saying the opposition’s primary consideration should be identifying the candidate best positioned to achieve its common objective.

Asked by the programme’s anchor, Seun Okinbaloye, whether he would be willing to withdraw his presidential ambition in favour of another opposition candidate, Duke answered in the affirmative.

“Absolutely. First of all, once we have a commonality and objective, the next question is who is best suited for this,” he said.

Duke compared the opposition’s efforts to a football match, stressing that while many people may have different opinions about how a game should be played, only those on the field ultimately determine the outcome.

“I want to be in that because I think you need some voice of reason amongst a lot of them,” he added.

‘Tinubu Is a Formidable Politician But Weak on Governance’

Duke also warned that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu could secure re-election in 2027 if opposition parties fail to unite.

“Absolutely, with the chequered opposition it won’t work; Tinubu might win,” the former governor said.

According to him, opposition parties should prepare for possible challenges on election day instead of waiting until after the election to complain.

“The reality is that things are bound to happen on that day, how to mitigate those things should be the major concern of the opposition,” he said.

Duke argued that opposition parties have experienced similar situations in previous elections and should learn from them by working together ahead of 2027.

He further described Tinubu as a “formidable politician” but criticised the President’s performance in governance.

“Give it to him, he is a formidable politician, my issue with him is governance not politics. He is weak on governance, from what we have seen over the last three years he is very weak on governance,” Duke said.

The PRP presidential candidate said he believed the country was facing serious economic and social challenges and argued that allowing poverty to continue increasing would further worsen the situation.

Duke said that if elected president in 2027, he would introduce what he described as a better governance structure.

Opposition Consensus Still Uncertain

The former governor’s comments come amid ongoing efforts by opposition parties and politicians to build a united platform ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), and Peter Obi, candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), are among the major opposition figures positioning themselves for the presidency.

While several opposition politicians have advocated cooperation to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), it remains uncertain whether the parties will eventually agree on a single consensus presidential candidate.

Duke’s latest declaration could add to the pressure on opposition figures to negotiate and determine who is best positioned to lead a united challenge against Tinubu in 2027.