2027: Tinubu is formidable politician but weak on governance — Donald Duke
Former Cross River State Governor and presidential candidate of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Donald Duke, characterized President Bola Tinubu as a formidable political figure but criticized his administration’s effectiveness in governance.
Speaking on Channels Television’s “Politics Today” on Monday, Duke evaluated Tinubu’s political status in the context of the upcoming 2027 presidential election. He contended that the President is not politically as strong as he was in 2023, suggesting that Tinubu has lost some of the public support he once enjoyed.
“I don’t think so; I think his governance has exposed the weaknesses of the current system. I don’t believe he has the sympathies he had in 2023,” Duke stated.
Duke linked the shift in public sentiment to the economic challenges facing Nigerians, suggesting that many citizens are becoming disenchanted with Tinubu’s leadership. “Conditions have become harder for people. Many are disillusioned by his style of governance; hope has turned into despair. While he speaks of structures and strategies, on election day, people will be focused on their own survival,” he noted.
While he acknowledged Tinubu’s political acumen, Duke emphasized a distinction between the President’s political skills and his governance record. “Give credit where it’s due; he is a formidable politician. However, my concern lies with his governance; based on what we have seen over the last three years, he is very weak in that regard,” Duke remarked.
The former governor asserted that Tinubu should not be granted another term in office, warning that worsening living conditions could exacerbate the nation’s challenges. However, he cautioned that the opposition must unite to effectively challenge the incumbent and prepare for potential issues on election day.
Duke warned that without unity, the opposition risks handing Tinubu victory even if he receives only a minority of the votes. “The reality is that events will unfold on election day. The primary concern for the opposition should be how to mitigate potential challenges. I prefer not to wait until after the fact to address these issues. We have experienced this numerous times, and we must anticipate those challenges. United we stand; if we fail to unite, we have only ourselves to blame,” he said.
Duke also stated his willingness to withdraw from the presidential race should opposition parties reach a consensus on another candidate perceived to be better positioned to contest against Tinubu. When asked if he would step aside for such a candidate, Duke replied, “Absolutely. As long as we share a common objective, the next question is who is best suited for this role. We need a voice of reason among the candidates.”
