Ahead of the 2027 presidential election, Donald Duke, the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) presidential candidate and former governor of Cross River State, has issued a stark warning to opposition parties, urging them to unite against President Bola Tinubu, whom he describes as a formidable political force. In an interview with Symfoni TV, Duke emphasized that the current system heavily favors the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), making it nearly impossible for fragmented opposition groups to succeed. He stressed that without unity, the opposition risks self-defeat, even before the election begins.
Duke pointed out that power dynamics in Nigeria’s electoral landscape inherently benefit the incumbent. “We can’t compare ourselves to China; even if the APC did nothing, they are the party in power,” he said. He explained that during critical moments, such as election day, security apparatuses like the Inspector General of Police would naturally respond to the president first, not opposition candidates. This structural advantage, according to Duke, gives the APC an unfair edge over challengers, regardless of their campaign strength or public support.
He warned that division among opposition parties only weakens their collective effort. “The only way you can seriously tackle the incumbent is to come together and have a voice; otherwise we will be factionalised,” Duke stated. He criticized the tendency of opposition leaders to prioritize personal ambitions over national interest, calling it a form of self-rigging. “When you talk of rigging, I think we are rigging it against ourselves, and because of our ego, we need to come together,” he added, highlighting how internal conflicts could undermine democratic progress.
To illustrate his point, Duke used a powerful metaphor: “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.” This vivid imagery underscores his belief that confronting Tinubu without unity is akin to walking into a trap.
Duke’s call for unity comes at a time when several opposition parties are still negotiating alliances and assessing their strategies for the 2027 polls. His message resonates with growing concerns about electoral fairness and the need for a coordinated front to challenge the APC’s dominance. As the political landscape continues to evolve, his words serve as a reminder that victory in Nigerian elections often depends not just on policy or popularity, but on strategic cohesion among challengers. The coming years will test whether opposition forces can set aside differences to build a united front capable of shifting the balance of power.
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