The Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) says it will not seek to impose its presidential candidate, Donald Duke, on any emerging opposition coalition ahead of the 2027 general elections.
PRP National Chairman, Dr Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, disclosed this during an interview with Arise News on Wednesday, while discussing the party’s involvement in efforts to build a broader opposition alliance.
Baba-Ahmed said although the party was confident in Duke’s credentials, it recognised that the quality of an individual candidate alone would not be enough to secure electoral success.
He said the PRP was therefore concentrating on building a coalition involving parties and individuals with shared principles and a common vision for Nigeria.
According to him, the party would allow the coalition process to determine its eventual structure and leadership rather than entering negotiations with the assumption that Duke must emerge as the presidential candidate.
“We don’t want to prejudge or preempt anything by saying, ‘Because he’s the best, he has to be the candidate,’ by whatever means you come to do that,” he said.
Baba-Ahmed said the coalition should be built around consensus and constitutional principles, with the ultimate objective of producing a government capable of addressing the country’s economic, social and political challenges.
He said Nigeria could not afford another four years without significant progress, stressing the need for leadership capable of addressing the country’s divisions and development challenges.
On Duke’s candidacy, however, Baba-Ahmed said the PRP remained confident in its candidate, describing the party as fortunate to have him on its ticket.
He also said the party was satisfied with the legal processes surrounding Duke’s nomination after a Federal High Court dismissed a challenge to his candidacy.
According to Baba-Ahmed, the PRP had taken steps to ensure that Duke’s nomination complied with applicable legal requirements, including those relating to the party’s membership register.
He also said the party was unaffected by the Supreme Court’s recent ruling concerning provisions of the Electoral Act relating to party membership registers and candidate nominations, insisting that the PRP had met the relevant requirements and deadlines.
Beyond the 2027 election, Baba-Ahmed said the PRP was seeking to promote a different approach to governance, centred on integrity, national unity and restoring confidence among young Nigerians.
He maintained that the party’s efforts were not limited to its own membership, noting that Nigerians outside the PRP who are interested in contributing to national development could also play a role in the proposed political realignment.
