Donald Duke: ‘Tinubu Is Weak on Governance’
Donald Duke says President Bola Tinubu’s biggest weakness is governance, arguing that public confidence has eroded amid economic hardship and insecurity.
Former Cross River State Governor and 2027 presidential contender Donald Duke has delivered one of his strongest critiques yet of President Bola Tinubu, declaring that the President’s greatest weakness is not politics but governance.
Speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Duke rejected suggestions that Tinubu has become politically stronger since winning the 2023 election. Instead, he argued that the realities of governing Nigeria have exposed deep shortcomings in the administration’s ability to address the country’s mounting challenges.
“I don’t think so,” Duke said when asked whether Tinubu is stronger today than he was during the last election. According to him, the President’s governance record has diminished the goodwill that helped propel him to office, as millions of Nigerians grapple with rising living costs and growing economic uncertainty.
Duke’s remarks come as the political atmosphere ahead of the 2027 general election becomes increasingly charged, with opposition figures seeking to frame the contest around the government’s performance rather than Tinubu’s formidable political machinery. Despite describing the President as an exceptionally skilled strategist, Duke warned that electoral strength cannot compensate for what he sees as weak governance.
The former governor pointed to inflation, declining purchasing power and worsening insecurity as evidence that many Nigerians feel disconnected from the promises of the current administration. He argued that governance should ultimately be measured by improvements in the daily lives of citizens, insisting that economic reforms must translate into tangible relief for ordinary households.
In recent weeks, Duke has repeatedly criticised key policies of the Tinubu government, including its approach to fuel pricing and major infrastructure spending. He has contended that some flagship projects reflect misplaced priorities at a time when sectors such as power, healthcare and education require greater investment, although the government maintains that its reforms are essential for long-term economic growth and fiscal stability.
His comments also carried a message for the opposition. While urging critics of the President to remain united, Duke cautioned that Tinubu should never be underestimated as a politician, describing him as a seasoned organizer capable of exploiting divisions among rival parties. He argued that only a cohesive opposition can present Nigerians with a credible alternative in 2027.
The Presidency has consistently defended Tinubu’s economic agenda, arguing that difficult decisions, including subsidy reforms and broader fiscal adjustments, are laying the foundation for sustainable recovery despite short-term hardship. Government officials have maintained that the administration remains focused on attracting investment, strengthening public finances and improving security across the country.
As campaigning gradually gathers momentum, Duke’s intervention underscores a defining theme of the coming election cycle. The debate is no longer centred solely on who is the better politician, but on who can convince Nigerians they possess the competence to govern effectively in one of the country’s most challenging economic periods.