Former Cross River State Governor and Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) presidential candidate, Donald Duke, has said his proposed cabinet may have no politicians if he wins the 2027 presidential election, insisting that competence rather than political loyalty would determine who serves in his administration.
Duke made the statement during an interview in Abuja, where he outlined his vision for a government focused on addressing Nigeria’s economic, security and social challenges rather than rewarding political allies.
He argued that the country’s problems require people with the knowledge, experience and capacity to deliver results, adding that appointing politicians to key positions could encourage officeholders to focus more on the next election than on governance.
“If I am going to pick a cabinet, you may not find any politician in that cabinet,” he said.
The former governor maintained that the 2027 election should go beyond political personalities and party structures, urging Nigerians to examine what each presidential candidate has to offer on critical issues such as the economy, insecurity, unemployment, education, healthcare and the justice system.
Drawing from his experience as Cross River governor between 1999 and 2007, Duke said his belief in performance-driven leadership was shaped by his experience in office.
He recalled that his first governorship election in 1999 required extensive political mobilisation because he was relatively new to the electorate. However, he said his achievements during his first term made his re-election campaign in 2003 less demanding.
“My first election in Cross River was really tough. I was basically introducing myself to the people, and there were politicians running around everywhere.
“But by my second election, I hardly needed to go to rallies. You could feel the mood. People would tell me, ‘Don’t worry yourself; you have proved your mettle,’” he said.
According to Duke, the experience convinced him that an administration’s record should be its strongest campaign message, particularly when an incumbent seeks another term.
He criticised public officeholders who, after spending years in government, still rely heavily on promises and lengthy explanations of their achievements during election campaigns.
“When you are seeking a second term, they should hold on to your work. Your work should speak for you,” he added.
Duke also questioned Nigeria’s approach to selecting political leaders, arguing that the constitutional requirements for contesting elections do not necessarily guarantee a candidate’s ability to govern effectively.
He noted that while the Constitution provides conditions such as age, citizenship and criminal-record requirements for eligibility, there should also be a framework for assessing the suitability and competence of individuals seeking public office.
“The constitution tells you who is eligible. It tells you the age requirement and says you must not have certain criminal convictions and so on. But where is the section dealing with suitability? We need to sit down and design a suitability matrix,” he said.
To explain his position, the PRP candidate compared the process of choosing a president to selecting a football team for an important match, arguing that the country should prioritise ability over popularity.
“If you want to win a Premier League match, you put out your best eleven. That is what I am trying to put on the table.
“This is not a popularity contest. You don’t substitute your future for a popular candidate. You look for who is best equipped to do the job,” he stated.
Duke said his decision to join the presidential race was partly motivated by his concern over Nigeria’s direction and the need to offer voters an alternative to the choices presented by the country’s political establishment.
He, however, declined to describe himself as the best candidate, saying Nigerians would ultimately determine who was most qualified to lead the country.
The former governor identified education, healthcare, justice and security as essential areas that any serious administration must prioritise, arguing that government should ultimately create an environment where citizens can become more productive.
He explained that education equips people with the necessary skills, healthcare enables them to remain productive, while justice and security provide the foundation for peace and stability.
Duke also criticised what he described as the selfish attitude of Nigeria’s elite, arguing that personal wealth and comfort cannot be sustained in a society where the majority of citizens live in deprivation and insecurity.
He questioned why wealthy Nigerians often move around their own country with heavy security and sirens, saying such conditions should prompt reflection on the state of national security.
“You see successful Nigerians moving around their own country with security and sirens. This is your country. This is your home. Why should you live in fear in your own home and not realise that something is fundamentally wrong?” he asked.
As the 2027 presidential race gradually takes shape, Duke’s comments offer an insight into the kind of administration he hopes to present to Nigerians: one built around professional competence, measurable performance and reduced dependence on political patronage.
His proposal to potentially exclude politicians from his cabinet also places the question of political appointments and the balance between technical expertise and political representation at the centre of his campaign message.