Donald Duke Declares Interest In 2019 Presidency
Former governor of Cross Rivers State, Donald Duke, has indicated interest in contesting for the country’s number one political office in 2019, under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP).
In an interview with Veteran journalist, Dele Momodu, Duke said, barring any party restriction, he would contest for the nation’s presidential position in 2019.
He also advocated that the party jettison its zoning formula, which according to him, prevents them from fielding their best candidates for elective positions.
Responding to a question of him running for presidency, Duke said, “Dele, do you want to hear the truth? I seriously want to run but my party, PDP, would have to decide on many things.”
“Our party is well-positioned to win the next election if we can change our style a bit and beat APC at its own game. We must take advantage and benefit from our experience since 1999. Despite our apparent mistakes, Nigerians can now compare and contrast us with APC.
“What do we need to win the next elections? We must go to the field with our best candidates. We must learn from how we select our footballers. No one cares where you come from. Can you play well? Pronto.
“We must show clearly that we are more democratic. Zoning is good, but it has not worked well in Nigeria. The time has come to unleash the best brains from every part of Nigeria. We must galvanise our youths. They will never follow or support us if we can’t show how we are different and far better than APC.”
“If I can get the ticket of my Party, I’m certain that with the support of our members and the youths of Nigeria yearning for urgent restoration of hope, we shall defeat APC. I’m certain Nigerians are anxiously waiting for a leader with proven record of vigour and excellence.
“They will come out en masse to vote if they see such a candidate. And I promise to join hands with my Party to free Nigeria permanently from recession, oppression and depression.
“We know what to do to unlock the potentials of our vibrant youths and we possess the most important gift of all, the trust in our ability to take development to every part of our great country and attract our most fertile minds back home from all over the world. Our international friends are also waiting to support the right leadership when they see one. It would be the dawn of a new era in Nigeria.”
