Former Cross River State Governor and presidential candidate of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Donald Duke, has delivered a scathing assessment of the country’s democratic trajectory, declaring that citizens were better off under military rule and in 1999 than under the current political leadership.
​Duke made the remarks during an interview on the Policy Without Politics podcast, clips of which circulated widely on Sunday, September 6, 2026.
He argued that despite 27 years of uninterrupted civilian governance since 1999, Nigeria’s constitutional democracy has turned into a “facade” that has failed to deliver economic development or improve the living standards of ordinary citizens.
​Comparing the current economic indicators with historical standards, the former governor highlighted that Nigeria’s nominal budget figures mask a severe decline in real purchasing power.
Duke pointed out that during the administration of President Shehu Shagari in the early 1980s, Nigeria’s annual federal budget averaged about $25 billion for a population of roughly 70 million. Today, despite the population rising to an estimated 200–250 million, the budget remains stagnant around $25 billion equivalent.
“We call it trillions because of devaluation,” Duke noted, emphasizing that while the naira traded nearly 1:1 against the U.S. dollar in earlier eras, it currently trades at roughly ₦1,400 to $1, eroding actual economic growth.
“The people were better off under the military. At least governance was not that expensive,” Duke asserted, stressing that democracy should be evaluated by tangible welfare metrics, such as education, healthcare, and infrastructure, rather than institutional titles.
​Addressing the breakdown of democratic institutions, the PRP candidate criticized the weakened state of opposition parties and the lack of oversight from the legislature and judiciary.
He cited the rapid legislative approval of executive measures, such as the national anthem change, as evidence that the National Assembly has abandoned its constitutional checks and balances.
​Duke blamed the national elite for abdicating leadership responsibilities to career politicians who treat public service as a permanent occupation. He urged that the strength of the national economy should be measured by the number of gainfully employed citizens rather than foreign reserve totals.
​The statement comes months after the National Working Committee (NWC) of the PRP formally cleared Duke as its flagbearer.
In a official statement issued in Abuja by the PRP National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Muhammed Ishaq, the party confirmed Duke’s candidature alongside 420 other candidates cleared across various elective posts for the upcoming general elections.
Furthermore, PRP National Chairman Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed reiterated that the party offers a credible platform designed to address the systemic security, unemployment, and governance crises plaguing the nation.
