2027: ‘I’m Ready to Step Down for Consensus Candidate,’ Donald Duke Urges Opposition Unity

Former Cross River governor says opposition must agree on a common vision before choosing a presidential candidate to challenge Tinubu

By Emmanuel Kwada

The presidential candidate of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Donald Duke, has declared his readiness to step down for another opposition candidate if political parties reach a consensus on a stronger candidate to challenge President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general election.

Duke said he would respect a collective democratic decision by opposition parties to support another presidential hopeful, including former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar or former Anambra State governor Peter Obi, if negotiations produce an agreement on the most suitable candidate.

The former Cross River State governor made the position known on Tuesday in Abuja during the unveiling of his running mate, Malam Sule Mohammed, and the PRP manifesto.

Responding to questions on whether he would withdraw his presidential ambition in favour of a consensus opposition candidate, Duke said the purpose of forming a coalition should go beyond selecting a presidential flag bearer.

He argued that opposition parties must first establish a common vision and agree on the direction they want to take Nigeria before deciding who should lead the alliance.

“A coalition is not just about picking a presidential candidate. That’s the mistake we’re all making. It’s about us coming together to agree on where we would like to take our nation to,” he said.

Duke maintained that anyone who believes in democracy must be willing to accept the outcome of a collective decision, regardless of who emerges as the preferred candidate.

“If the group, and so far there are quite a number of us, comes up with an agreement that this is the best person to lead the coalition, you can’t say you’re a Democrat and not be subject to the rules of democracy.

“Of course, if it’s me, I hope they would do the same. And if it’s any other person, I would do the same. I would respect it,” he added.

You can see what is happening to other opposition parties who have been on the campaign train.

He warned against replacing the All Progressives Congress (APC) administration with another government that would repeat the mistakes of previous administrations, stressing that the opposition must present Nigerians with a credible alternative.

The PRP candidate also accused the ruling APC of enjoying an overwhelming advantage in campaign visibility, alleging that opposition parties were struggling to secure advertising spaces and venues for political activities ahead of the 2027 elections.

According to him, the dominance of APC billboards and posters across major cities raises concerns about the ability of opposition parties to compete on equal terms.

“You can see what is happening to other opposition parties who have been on the campaign train. If you go throughout the country, you hardly find their billboards and posters on the streets of the various cities across Nigeria.

“You only find one party, the APC,” Duke alleged.

He further claimed that political advertising in some states could cost as much as N1 billion, making nationwide campaigns financially difficult for opposition candidates.

Duke disclosed that the PRP had also postponed its retreat several times because of difficulties securing venues.

Meanwhile, the PRP National Chairman, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, said the party was exploring different options to strengthen opposition unity ahead of the 2027 elections but ruled out dissolving its political structure into another party.

Baba-Ahmed said the PRP was willing to support one or two opposition candidates capable of defeating the APC, insisting that participation in the emerging opposition coalition did not mean abandoning the party’s identity.

“The best we can do is to improve our unity by supporting one or two candidates to defeat this APC that has not been defeated in 2027. But discussion around collapsing the PRP to join another party now is not against the law,” he said.

He expressed confidence that opposition parties could produce a winning candidate through negotiations, strategic cooperation and a shared political agenda.

The best we can do is to improve our unity by supporting one or two candidates to defeat this APC that has not been defeated in 2027.

Baba-Ahmed also said the emerging coalition would focus on addressing insecurity, creating opportunities for women and young Nigerians, and ensuring that religion or geographical location did not determine citizens’ access to opportunities.

He insisted that the PRP was not joining the 2027 presidential contest merely to participate but was determined to contribute to producing a government capable of defeating the ruling party.

“We have faith that Nigerians will choose wisely in 2027, and disappoint those who think we are cheap and disposable. We are ready to be part of the change we all need.

“Nigeria must survive 2027. We are not in the race for leadership in 2027 just to make up the numbers. We are in this contest to win,” he said.

Duke’s declaration comes amid ongoing consultations among opposition figures and political parties seeking to build a common platform capable of challenging Tinubu and the APC in the 2027 general election.