Presidential candidate of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) for the 2027 general election, Donald Duke, has expressed concern over Nigeria's current state, warning that the country could face a deeper crisis if decisive action is not taken to address its mounting challenges.
Duke, a former governor of Cross River State, said Nigeria's economic decline, worsening insecurity and weak governance require immediate intervention to prevent what he described as an impending national disaster.
Speaking during an interview on Arise News on Tuesday, the former governor argued that the country could no longer afford to continue on its present path.
"The direction the country is going requires very urgent intervention. In another four years, if we don't change the trajectory, disaster, which is already looming, will deepen further," he said.
According to him, the country's security problems are rooted in years of economic stagnation and poor governance rather than being isolated criminal activities.
"The economy is broken; it is not growing. Whether you call it Boko Haram, ISWAP, banditry or kidnapping, they are all symptoms of a deeper problem. We have failed to grow the economy, and governance has suffered because there has been too much politics and too little governance over the last two decades," he said.
Duke also pointed to the recent controversy surrounding the alleged operations of the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC), saying it reflected serious lapses in government oversight and accountability.
He argued that the allegation that an individual could operate an office within the Federal Secretariat without belonging to a recognised government institution highlighted institutional weaknesses.
The former governor also criticised the country's monetary environment, questioning how businesses could thrive under what he described as excessively high interest rates.
Explaining why he joined the 2027 presidential race, Duke said he felt compelled to move beyond analysing Nigeria's problems to actively seeking solutions.
"It is the urgency of where we are today. You can choose to remain a spectator and analyse events, or you can get involved," he said.
He further urged opposition political parties to put aside their differences and build a united front capable of offering Nigerians a credible alternative.
According to him, the fragmentation of opposition parties has weakened democratic competition and made it more difficult to drive meaningful political change.
"We have a splintered opposition pursuing the same objective. Eventually, we must come together and decide where this country is headed. The personal egos involved must give way because Nigeria is in a very difficult situation," he said.
Duke also stressed the importance of separating politics from governance, insisting that those appointed into government should be chosen based on competence and their ability to deliver results rather than political loyalty.
Drawing from his experience as governor of Cross River State from 1999 to 2007, he said effective leadership is measured by the ability to leave institutions stronger than they were found.
He maintained that if elected president, he would assemble a team of highly qualified professionals committed to national development instead of rewarding political allies.
"Leadership is about putting together the best team to move the country forward. Politics may bring you into office, but governance is about competence, integrity and delivering results for the people," Duke said.
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