Opposition disunity: ‘We’re repeating 2023 mistakes’ - Donald Duke
Donald Duke, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), has expressed concerns that opposition parties are repeating past mistakes ahead of the 2027 elections by failing to unite.
In an interview on Channels Television’s Political Paradigm, Duke pointed to the 2023 election, suggesting that a lack of consolidation among opposition candidates contributed to their defeat. He noted that the combined votes of notable candidates Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, and Rabiu Kwankwaso could have significantly changed the outcome had they presented a united front.
Duke reflected on the situation, saying, “In 2023, the PDP produced three presidential candidates. Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, and Rabiu Kwankwaso, and we saw what happened. If you put their votes together, Bola Tinubu didn’t stand a chance.” He voiced disappointment that the lessons from the previous election appear not to have been fully recognized by opposition leaders.
He cautioned against repeating the mistakes of 2023, stating, “So, fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. We are now in a situation where we’re repeating the mistakes of 2023. We haven’t learned.”
Duke emphasized the need for opposition parties to first agree on a common vision for the country’s future before selecting a candidate to lead their efforts. “I would like to be the voice of reason. Say, hey guys, look, let’s first of all agree where we are taking the country, and if we can agree on that, who is best to articulate it?” he said.
While he remains interested in the presidency, Duke stated that he is more focused on being part of a team that can effectively address the challenges facing Nigeria. “I don’t have to be president. Of course, I would like to be president, but it’s not about me. It’s about getting the country to work,” he added.
