News Investigators/ National Chairman of People’s Redemption Party (PRP), Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, says the party’s presidential candidate, Donald Duke, possesses the national appeal, experience and leadership qualities needed to unite Nigerians.
Mr Baba-Ahmed stated this while featuring in the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Personality Interview Series in Abuja on Tuesday, while explaining the factors that informed the party’s choice of Mr Duke as its flag bearer for the 2027 presidential election.
He said Mr Duke, a former governor of Cross River, emerged through a transparent and competitive process involving other aspirants.
Baba-Ahmed also said that Mr Duke was elected by party members based on merit and his leadership credentials rather than regional considerations.
According to him, Mr Duke enjoys goodwill across the country and has built relationships that cut across geographical and ethnic boundaries, saying that his qualities transcend ethnic, religious and regional lines.
“Donald Duke is actually more Nigerian than many people know. He was born in Cross River, but had lived, studied and interacted with people from different parts of the country.
“He has friends and associates from the North, South, East and West, and is one of the few Nigerian leaders with a record of public service that remains largely untainted,” he said.
The PRP national chairman said that PRP was convinced that Nigeria’s current challenges required leaders with competence, integrity and genuine commitment to national development rather than politicians seeking power for its own sake.
He argued that leadership selection should be based on character and capacity to deliver results, not on ethnic, religious or regional identity.
“What Nigerians need today is a leader who can unite the country and address its problems, and Donald Duke fits that description.
“We believe Nigerians are increasingly interested in competence and vision, not where a candidate comes from,” he said.
Baba-Ahmed expressed confidence that the party’s presidential candidate would attract support from across the country, as PRP intensified consultations and mobilisation ahead of the 2027 general elections.
According to him, PRP will continue to promote issue-based politics and present practical solutions to the country’s security, economic and governance challenges.
NAN