Duke Opens the Door to Opposition Unity. Can Others Walk Through It?
In Nigeria’s long run-up to the 2027 election, Donald Duke has made an offer that could unsettle the usual contest for the opposition’s top ticket: if the parties agree on a stronger candidate through a democratic process, he says he is prepared to step aside.
The Peoples Redemption Party’s presidential candidate says he would respect a collective decision to back another contender, including Atiku Abubakar or Peter Obi. But Duke wants the opposition to settle a bigger question before it settles on a name: **What, together, does it want to do for Nigeria?**
That may be the harder negotiation. A coalition formed only to defeat President Bola Tinubu could win attention without earning public trust. Duke argues the parties must first agree on a shared direction, warning against replacing one administration only to repeat the failures Nigerians want fixed.
PRP chairman Hakeem Baba-Ahmed says the party is exploring ways to strengthen opposition cooperation, but will not dissolve its structure into another party. The PRP is willing to support one or two candidates, he says, while insisting it intends to contest the election seriously.
The statements point to a delicate balance: opposition parties want to combine their strength, yet retain their identities and influence. To make that work, they will need more than goodwill. They will need clear rules for choosing a consensus candidate, a process trusted by aspirants and supporters, and a common programme that voters can examine.
That programme will have to address the concerns shaping daily life: insecurity, the cost of living, unemployment, corruption and public services that fall short. Voters will want to know not just who the coalition opposes, but what it would do differently—and how it would deliver.
Duke has also alleged that opposition parties face difficulty securing venues and advertising space while APC campaign materials dominate public areas. He said the PRP had to postpone its retreat after struggling to find a venue. Those claims put the question of fair access to the campaign stage alongside the question of who will stand on it.
Duke’s readiness to step aside is a notable opening move. Its value will depend on whether the other parties answer with a process that is open, a vision that is specific and a campaign that gives voters a real choice. **The opposition has begun talking about unity. Now it must show Nigerians what that unity is for.**
