RismadarVoice Reporters
November 10, 2026
The presidential candidate of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Donald Duke, has expressed willingness to withdraw from the 2027 presidential race if opposition parties agree on a consensus candidate to challenge President Bola Tinubu.
Duke, a former governor of Cross River State, made the declaration on Tuesday in Abuja during the unveiling of the PRP manifesto and his running mate, Sule Mohammed.
He said any agreement to support another candidate must emerge from a democratic process built around a shared vision for Nigeria’s future.
According to Duke, opposition cooperation should go beyond selecting a presidential candidate or distributing political positions among participating parties.
He maintained that the parties must first agree on their policy priorities and the direction they intend to take the country.
The former governor said he would respect a collective decision to support another candidate, including former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar or Peter Obi, if the agreement reflected the wishes of the coalition.
He explained that democratic participation required politicians to accept decisions reached through agreed procedures, even when the outcome did not favour their personal ambitions.
Duke also criticised what he described as obstacles facing opposition parties in their preparations for the 2027 elections.
He alleged that opposition candidates were experiencing difficulties securing campaign venues and advertising spaces, while the ruling All Progressives Congress enjoyed greater visibility.
The PRP candidate claimed that some states imposed advertising costs reaching ₦1 billion, although the allegation was not independently substantiated.
He further alleged that his party had postponed political activities after encountering difficulties obtaining suitable venues.
Speaking at the event, PRP National Chairman Hakeem Baba-Ahmed confirmed that the party was participating in discussions aimed at strengthening opposition cooperation.
However, he maintained that the PRP would not automatically dissolve its political structure or surrender its identity to another party.
Baba-Ahmed said the party remained open to arrangements that would allow opposition groups to support agreed candidates while maintaining their individual political platforms.
He also outlined the party’s plans to promote accountability, reject vote-buying and strengthen the participation of women and young Nigerians in politics.
The event featured the unveiling of the PRP manifesto, titled A Compact for Nigeria’s Renewal, which outlines the party’s proposed approach to governance.
Despite the ongoing consultations, opposition parties have not announced a final agreement on a single presidential candidate for the 2027 election.
Duke’s latest remarks reaffirm his position that political cooperation should be guided by common objectives and democratic decision-making.
