Donald Duke, presidential candidate of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), has warned opposition parties against underestimating President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 presidential election, saying the incumbent enjoys enormous institutional and political advantages.
Duke argued that the control of government institutions by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) gives Tinubu a major edge during elections, making opposition unity imperative.
“Even if the APC did nothing, right? They are the party in power. If there is a problem on that day, the IG of police will not go to any of the contestants. He will go to the president.
“So everything is skewed in favour of incumbent. Respect that,” Duke said.
Duke, former Cross River State governor maintained that opposition politicians must overcome their differences and personal ambitions if they hope to mount a credible challenge against Tinubu.
“The only way you can seriously charge tackling incumbent is to come together to tackle and to have the force. Otherwise, you will be factionalised. So, I think when you talk of rigging, we’re rigging it against ourselves because of our ego. We need to come together,” he said.
Duke further described Tinubu as an unusually formidable political opponent, urging the opposition to approach the 2027 contest with greater realism and preparation.
“Bola Tinubu is not an average politician. You don’t go to fight a lion who also has horns. Then you now give it a horn and you say go and fight it with knife and fork. You’ll be the dinner. So, let’s get real,”he said.
His remarks came amid renewed efforts by opposition politicians to forge alliances ahead of the 2027 election.
Join BusinessDay whatsapp Channel, to stay up to date
Open In Whatsapp
Follow the story
