The presidential candidate of the People’s Redemption Party, PRP, for the 2027 general election, Donald Duke, has defended his leadership credentials, saying his record as governor of Cross River State (1999-2007) demonstrates a commitment to building strong institutions, promoting merit and leaving public office better than he met it.

Duke said if elected president in 2027, his administration would break with the culture of political patronage by appointing competent and capable Nigerians to key positions in government.

“My record speaks of my intention to leave a place better than I met it,” the former Cross River governor said during an interview. “Politics ends after the election. Governance begins with assembling the best hands to move the country forward.”

According to him, governance should be driven by competence rather than political loyalty, stressing that appointments into public office should be based on merit, integrity and the capacity to deliver results.
“It’s not those who rallied around you during the campaign that should determine the quality of governance. Politics is over; governance is about getting the best team. Every appointee must have one creed: leave the country better than you met it,” he said.

Duke argued that Nigeria’s current challenges require visionary leadership capable of putting national interest above partisan considerations. He maintained that rebuilding public institutions remains critical to restoring citizens’ confidence in government and repositioning the country for sustainable development.
The PRP presidential candidate also renewed his call for comprehensive economic reforms, including a redesign of Nigeria’s financial system to encourage productivity, lower the cost of borrowing and stimulate private sector growth.
He criticised high interest rates, rising public debt and what he described as misplaced government spending, insisting that greater investments should be channelled to electricity, agriculture, healthcare, education and the judiciary to drive economic growth and improve citizens’ welfare.
Duke further advocated reforms in revenue generation, energy policy and the justice system, arguing that Nigeria possesses the human and natural resources needed for rapid transformation if managed with discipline, competence and accountability.