A chieftain of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Datti Baba-Ahmed, has declared that former Cross River State Hovernor Donald Duke possesses the credentials and national appeal to defeat both Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Peter Obi in a free, fair and credible presidential election.
Speaking during an interview on Symfoni TV, Baba-Ahmed described Duke as one of the most qualified political leaders in the country, insisting that many Nigerians have yet to fully appreciate his leadership qualities and political potential.
His remarks come shortly after Duke emerged as the presidential candidate of the Peoples Redemption Party for the 2027 general election.
According to Baba-Ahmed, Nigeria’s political landscape could witness a major surprise if the electoral process remains transparent and credible.
“In a free and fair election in Nigeria, Donald Duke is the winner,” he said.
The PRP stalwart argued that public perception often underestimates candidates capable of reshaping the political equation, drawing parallels with Obi’s emergence as a formidable force during the 2023 presidential race.
He noted that many political observers dismissed Obi’s chances before the election, only to be confronted with the scale of his popularity and support across the country.
Baba-Ahmed warned that a similar miscalculation could be made regarding Duke, whom he said combines experience, competence and national acceptability.
His comments add a fresh dimension to the growing debate over the 2027 presidential contest, which is increasingly drawing attention from major political actors and emerging opposition platforms seeking to challenge the dominance of the ruling establishment.
With Duke now carrying the PRP’s presidential banner, political analysts are expected to closely watch how the former Cross River governor positions himself against leading contenders as preparations for the 2027 elections gather momentum.