Presidential candidate of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Donald Duke, has delivered a blistering assessment of Nigeria’s condition, declaring that the nation has become so broken that criminal groups now impose taxes on citizens while the government offers nothing but excuses. The former Cross River State governor made the remarks in Abuja during the presentation of Certificates of Return and party flags to PRP candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Who is delivering this damning verdict on Nigeria?

The speaker is Donald Duke, former Governor of Cross River State and now the presidential candidate of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP). He is not a fringe figure. He is a former state chief executive with decades of political experience. His words carry weight. He was speaking at a party event in Abuja, presenting certificates to PRP candidates for the 2027 elections.

Where did Duke make these statements?

He spoke in Abuja, the nation’s capital, at the presentation of Certificates of Return and party flags to PRP candidates. The venue placed his words directly in the seat of federal power – a deliberate choice.

What exactly did Donald Duke say about Nigeria’s condition?

His most striking line: “Our land has become so desolate that bandits, gangsters and kidnappers collect taxes while the government collects excuses.” He also claimed that Nigerians paid approximately ₦2 trillion in ransom to kidnappers in 2025 alone – a figure he attributed to the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics. He argued that leadership failures over many years have created an environment where criminals operate with alarming influence.

Duke said: “All this is because our leaders failed to do what was right when it was necessary to do so. The best politics has always been about doing the right thing, not merely doing what is convenient.”

When did Duke deliver this speech?

The event took place ahead of the 2027 general elections. The news was published on June 12, 2026. The timing is significant – the PRP is launching its campaign early, and Duke is using the platform to define the party’s message.

Why is Duke’s message significant for the 2027 election?

Because he is framing the election as a battle between the ordinary Nigerian and the political elite. He said: “The political elite have had their turn. Now it is the turn of the common man, the true Nigerian, the market woman, the farmer and the unemployed graduate.” This is a populist appeal – and a direct attack on the APC and PDP, which he accuses of failing the nation.

How does Duke propose to fix Nigeria if elected?

He pledged to build a country where citizens can live and work without fear. His priorities: restoring security, reviving agriculture, and improving access to quality education. He wants farmers to cultivate and return home safely. He wants children to have conducive learning environments. He wants young Nigerians to have economic opportunities.

5 explosive takeaways from Donald Duke’s attack on Nigeria’s leadership.

1. Duke claimed Nigerians paid ₦2 trillion in ransom to kidnappers in 2025 alone. If that figure is accurate, it is staggering. ₦2 trillion is not pocket change. It is a significant portion of the national budget. Duke is arguing that the money lost to ransom is a direct result of government failure to protect citizens. Every naira paid to bandits is a naira not invested in development.

2. He accused the government of collecting “excuses” while bandits collect “taxes.” This is a devastating framing. The government’s primary job is to protect citizens and provide services. If bandits are collecting taxes – that is, extorting regular payments – and the government is only offering explanations for why nothing works, then the state has effectively lost its monopoly on coercion. Duke is saying: the criminals have become the de facto government in some areas.

3. He blamed “years of leadership failures” – not just the current administration. Duke did not single out President Tinubu. He said leaders have failed “over the years.” That spreads the blame across multiple administrations – including those Duke himself was part of? He was a governor. The question will be asked: what did you do differently when you had power?

4. He declared that the “political elite have had their turn” and it is now the turn of the common man. This is classic populism. Duke is positioning himself as an outsider, even though he is a former governor. He is trying to tap into the widespread frustration with established politicians. The risk is that voters may see him as part of the elite he claims to oppose.

5. He promised safer communities, revived agriculture, and better education – but offered few specifics. The speech was strong on diagnosis but light on prescription. Voters know Nigeria is broken. They want to know: how exactly will you fix it? Duke will need to provide policy details, not just inspiring slogans, if he wants to be taken seriously.

How this affects the 2027 presidential race.

i. Duke has set the tone for the PRP’s campaign: anti-elite, pro-common man. The party will campaign on the failures of the APC and PDP. Duke is positioning the PRP as the alternative for voters who are tired of the two major parties.

ii. The ₦2 trillion ransom figure – if challenged – could become a major debate point. If Duke cannot verify the statistic, opponents will attack his credibility. If he can, the figure will be used to hammer the government’s security record.

iii. Duke’s speech will force other candidates to respond to his diagnosis. Atiku, Tinubu, Obi, and others will have to address the question: is Nigeria as broken as Duke claims? If they agree, why have they not fixed it? If they disagree, they will seem out of touch.

iv. The “bandits collect taxes” line will be quoted repeatedly. It is a memorable, damning phrase. Expect to see it on posters, social media, and in debates. Duke has given the opposition a slogan.

v. The PRP is launching its campaign early – trying to build momentum before the major parties dominate the news cycle. By speaking now, Duke is trying to define the terms of the debate. Whether he can sustain attention until 2027 remains to be seen.

Advice from this analyst.

1. To Donald Duke and the PRP: your diagnosis is powerful. Now provide the prescription. Publish a detailed policy document. Show Nigerians how you will restore security, revive agriculture, and improve education. Slogans win attention. Policies win elections.

2. To the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics (NBS): if Duke’s ₦2 trillion figure is incorrect, issue a correction. If it is accurate, confirm it. The public needs reliable data. The NBS has a duty to clarify.

3. To the APC and PDP: do not ignore Duke. His populist message could attract dissatisfied voters from both your parties. Take him seriously. Engage his arguments. Do not dismiss him as a fringe candidate.

4. To voters: listen to Duke’s diagnosis. Then ask for evidence. Is ₦2 trillion in ransom payments a verified figure? Has he explained how he will defeat bandits without a detailed security plan? Do not be swayed by slogans alone.

5. To the media: fact-check Duke’s claims. Verify the ₦2 trillion statistic. Investigate whether bandits are truly “collecting taxes” in any systematic way. Your role is to separate rhetoric from reality.

A question to make you reflect.

If Donald Duke is right – that bandits now collect taxes while the government collects excuses – what does that say about the future of the Nigerian state?

The answer is frightening. It says that the state is losing control of its territory. It says that citizens are turning to criminals for security because the government cannot provide it. It says that Nigeria is sliding toward a failed-state reality where non-state actors hold power. Duke’s words are harsh. But harsh words are better than comfortable lies. The question is not whether Duke is correct about the diagnosis. The question is whether anyone in power has the will – and the plan – to change it.

Akahi News gathered that Donald Duke has thrown down the gauntlet. Bandits collect taxes, he says. The government collects excuses. Nigerians paid ₦2 trillion in ransom in 2025 alone. The elite have failed. The common man must now take power. The speech was vintage Duke: eloquent, angry, and populist. But the 2027 election is not won by speeches alone. Voters want to know: if the elite have failed, what makes Duke different? He was a governor. He was part of the establishment. He must answer that question. Otherwise, his diagnosis will be remembered – and his prescription ignored.