Former Cross River State governor and Peoples Redemption Party presidential candidate, Donald Duke, has expressed concern over the dire state of Nigeria, citing worsening poverty and insecurity. He emphasized that the country can no longer afford to experiment with untested leaders, stressing the need for rigorous scrutiny of presidential aspirants' experience, capacity, and plans. Duke's comments come as Nigeria grapples with significant challenges.
Duke, who governed Cross River State from 1999 to 2007, described the current situation in Nigeria as a disaster, but noted that it is still recoverable with a change in direction. He pointed to the worsening economic situation, rising poverty, and insecurity as evidence of the need for competent and purposeful leadership. According to Duke, the country's situation demands urgent attention to mitigate the uneven deterioration in living conditions.
The former governor highlighted the alarming rate of poverty increase in Nigeria, citing international statistics that show the country getting poorer year after year. He also expressed concern over the rising insecurity, particularly in the North, which is now creeping southwards. Duke emphasized that deliberate government intervention is necessary to address these challenges and ensure that citizens can become productive.
Duke acknowledged President Bola Tinubu's political experience and described him as a formidable politician, but expressed concerns about his governance style. While Tinubu has held various political offices, including senator and two-time governor, Duke's issue is with his ability to govern effectively. He emphasized that his criticism of Tinubu is not personal, but rather based on his conviction that a better governance structure is needed.
The former governor rejected suggestions that his criticism of Tinubu was based on a claim that he was personally better than the president. Instead, Duke emphasized that he would put in place a better governance structure than Tinubu, driven by his conviction. He also highlighted the primary responsibility of government to create an environment where citizens can become productive, while ensuring safety and order.
According to Duke, investments in education, healthcare, and infrastructure should be measured by their impact on citizens' productivity and welfare. He emphasized that the ultimate goal of government is to ensure that citizens are productive within a safe and orderly environment. This, he believes, is the essence of governance.
Duke's comments reflect his concerns about the state of Nigeria and the need for effective leadership to address the country's challenges. As the country continues to grapple with poverty, insecurity, and economic challenges, Duke's call for competent leadership and rigorous scrutiny of presidential aspirants resonates with many Nigerians. The country's future direction remains a pressing concern.
Key points
- Donald Duke warns Nigeria needs competent leadership to address worsening poverty and insecurity.
- The former governor emphasizes the need for rigorous scrutiny of presidential aspirants' experience and plans.
- Duke criticizes President Bola Tinubu's governance style, but acknowledges his political experience.
