…says all presidential aspirants must be grilled on experience, capacity, record
The presidential candidate of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Donald Duke, has said Nigeria cannot afford experimental leadership amid what he described as worsening economic and security challenges.
Duke, a former governor of Cross River State, said candidates seeking to govern the country should be thoroughly assessed based on their experience, capacity, track record and plans for addressing the country’s challenges.
“I don’t think we should be testing. We’re in such dire states right now,” he said.
“We should actually grill whoever wants to take any responsible position in the public space today.”
Speaking on the state of the country, Duke said Nigeria was already facing a serious crisis but could still be repaired if there was a change in direction.
“We’re already in a disaster. This is a disaster. But it’s repairable.”
Duke, who governed Cross River State between 1999 and 2007, cited his administration’s experience as an example of how governments could use the economic potential of their respective areas to create opportunities.
“We were young and boisterous and had a lot of energy. We wanted to prove a point that it could happen.
“We wanted to prove that every federating unit in this country could also be an economic unit.”
He said his administration focused on areas where Cross River had comparative advantages, particularly agriculture and tourism.
“So we took our strengths, right? Agriculture, we have an incredible landmass.
“But beyond that, we took a low-hanging fruit like tourism, which everyone thought wouldn’t work. And it worked spectacularly.
“It can be done. That can-do spirit has been proven before.”
Duke said the primary responsibility of government should be to create an environment where citizens could become productive while living in a safe and orderly society.
“The main essence, the main function of government is the optimal productivity of our citizens within a safe and orderly environment.
“I think that’s what the government is all about. Not just for people to administer or supervise over people, but to ensure that they are productive within a safe and orderly environment.”
According to him, investments in education, healthcare, and infrastructure should ultimately contribute to citizens’ productivity and improve their standard of living.
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“That’s why we send kids to school. That’s why we send them to hospitals. We build infrastructure. All towards the productivity of our citizens.
“That is the mission statement of the government. It changes the way we see the dynamics of government.”
He said governments should pursue legitimate economic opportunities capable of improving citizens’ livelihoods.
“Once you have something that legitimately others want — and the word here is legitimately — then you’re productive.
“If by preparing Afang soup, we can get our people living a good life, not below the poverty level, go for it.”
On the Tinapa project, which was initiated under his administration, Duke defended the rationale behind the development and said its subsequent performance should be considered in the context of the administration that took over from him.
“Tinapa was one thing that you built in Cross River. It was a dream. To the extent that it was commissioned a month before I left office, it was successful.
“Going forward, I think the question should be addressed to those who took over from me.”
Duke also assessed the administration of President Bola Tinubu, acknowledging the President’s political experience while criticising his governance record.
“He’s a formidable politician. My issue with him is governance, not politics.
“He’s been a senator, he’s been a two-time governor. Give it to him. He’s a formidable politician.
“My issue with him is governance, not politics.”
He said his concerns centred on what he described as worsening living conditions and insecurity across the country.
“If we continue this way, where year after year poverty increases, statistically, not our statistics, international statistics, year after year we’re getting poorer, year after year our security is impaired. I mean, look at what’s going on in the North. And it’s creeping southwards.
“There are sections of the country that are getting poorer faster than other sections of the country. You’ve got to mitigate that.
“And he’s not taking us in that direction.”
Duke rejected the suggestion that his criticism of Tinubu amounted to a claim that he was personally better than the President.
“No. I didn’t say I’m better. I didn’t say I’m better.
“I’ll put in place a better governance structure than Bola Tinubu. That’s my conviction.”
On the opposition coalition ahead of the 2027 election, Duke said its objective should go beyond finding a candidate capable of defeating the incumbent.
“But we also have to have sincerity of purpose. It’s not just to remove one and put another face.
“The first thing is getting a commonality in objectives. Where do we want to take Nigeria to? Where do we think Nigeria ought to be at this time?
“Who best amongst the coalition partners can articulate that vision?”
He warned that bringing together politicians opposed to the incumbent without agreeing on an alternative programme would amount to shortchanging Nigerians.
“It shouldn’t be seen as a bunch of people trying to unseat a government or impose someone else. No, that would be wrong. And that would be shortchanging Nigerians.
“We must agree on where we ought to take Nigeria to and find a fitting vehicle to take us there.”
Duke said the opposition could determine the most suitable candidate only after agreeing on its objectives for the country.
“First of all, once we have a commonality and objective, the next question is who is best suited for this?”
He reiterated that the country’s current circumstances made it necessary for Nigerians to scrutinise those seeking public office carefully.
“I don’t think we should be testing,” he reiterated. “We’re in such dire states right now.”
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