Former Cross River State Governor and Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) presidential candidate, Donald Duke, has called on opposition parties to put aside their differences and work towards a common political vision ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Duke made the call on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, in Abuja, during the unveiling of the PRP's manifesto titled A Compact for Nigeria's Renewal. He warned that opposition parties risk repeating the political mistakes of the 2023 elections if they allow individual ambitions to undermine efforts towards unity.

He also expressed his willingness to withdraw his presidential ambition in support of another candidate if opposition parties reached a collective agreement on who should lead a common platform.

According to Duke, however, an opposition coalition should not be centred solely on selecting a presidential candidate. He argued that participating parties must first agree on a shared vision for Nigeria and the direction they want the country to take.

The former governor also raised concerns about the political environment ahead of the elections, alleging that opposition parties were facing restrictions on access to campaign venues, advertising opportunities and other platforms. He further accused the ruling administration of using state institutions to weaken political opposition, claims that have not been independently established.

Duke warned that the growing political tensions could have serious consequences for the country if not addressed, drawing comparisons with the events that preceded Nigeria's 1966 crisis.

Meanwhile, the PRP manifesto outlines the party's proposed approach to tackling insecurity, poverty, corruption and unemployment. The party's National Chairman, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, also announced a proposed Compact with Constituents, which would require candidates running on the party's platform to make commitments on accountability, accessibility and responsible leadership.

The party said it was also positioning itself to give greater opportunities to women and young Nigerians, while its leadership disclosed that more than 500 candidates would contest various positions under its platform.

Duke's comments come amid renewed discussions among opposition parties about forming a coalition capable of challenging the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027. His willingness to respect a consensus arrangement adds to the ongoing debate over whether opposition figures can agree on a common candidate and political programme before the elections.

© 2026 Aliu Azeema |

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