Former Cross River State Governor and 2027 presidential candidate of the People’s Redemption Party (PRP), Donald Duke, has described President Bola Tinubu as a formidable politician while faulting his administration’s approach to governance.
Duke made the assessment during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday, where he distinguished between Tinubu’s political abilities and what he considers shortcomings in the management of the country.
According to the PRP presidential candidate, his criticism of the president is not rooted in politics but in the manner in which the administration has handled governance over the past three years.
“Give it to President Bola Tinubu. He’s a formidable politician. My issue with him is governance, not politics.
“From what we have seen in the last three years, he’s very weak on governance. We’re in a disaster. It’s repairable, but not with the trajectory he’s going.
“If Tinubu comes back like a born-again and says he’s made a mistake, maybe we can consider it, but this trajectory, no.”
Duke also characterised Tinubu as a politician who remains firmly committed to his convictions, describing him as stubborn in pursuing his political and policy direction.
“He’s a stubborn politician too. Give it to him. He believes in what he’s doing. That’s his conviction.
“If we continue this way, where year after year poverty increases, I’m not sure it would be fine,” he added.
Duke and Tinubu both served as state governors between 1999 and 2007, with Duke governing Cross River State during the period.
The former governor is seeking the presidency in 2027 on the platform of the PRP, putting him among the political figures positioning themselves for the next presidential contest.
