Sowore Criticizes Donald Duke Over Potential 2027 Consensus Strategy

As the political landscape begins to shift ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general election, Omoyele Sowore, the presidential candidate for the African Action Congress (AAC), has launched a sharp critique of former Cross River State Governor Donald Duke. The friction follows Duke’s recent public indication that he would be willing to withdraw from the presidential race to support a single, unified opposition candidate.

The Conflict Over Consensus

The controversy stems from statements made by Donald Duke, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), regarding the necessity of a consensus approach to challenge the ruling establishment in 2027. Duke suggested that he might step aside if a viable, singular opposition candidate emerges. This proposal, intended to consolidate opposition votes, has been met with skepticism by other political actors.

Sowore, in a series of remarks shared on social media, interpreted Duke’s stance not as a strategic necessity, but as a maneuver designed to undermine his own campaign. According to the Daily Post Nigeria, Sowore alleged that Duke’s earlier public questioning of whether Sowore was indeed running for office was a calculated effort to create confusion and diminish the visibility of the AAC’s platform.

Allegations of External Influence

Sowore’s critique extended beyond Duke, implicating former President Olusegun Obasanjo in the unfolding political dynamics. Sowore claimed, without providing evidence, that Obasanjo is actively orchestrating a plan to position certain political figures—whom he labeled as “weaklings”—to eventually withdraw from the race in favor of Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC).

In his statement, Sowore characterized Obi as a “packaged political fraud,” asserting that the current discussions regarding a consensus candidate are merely a facade for this alleged agenda. He argued that these maneuvers are part of a long-standing “establishment game” intended to stifle what he describes as his “revolutionary ambition.”

Sowore Reaffirms Candidacy

Despite the speculation surrounding consensus building, Sowore has remained firm in his commitment to the 2027 race. He emphasized that his movement would not be swayed by the political calculations of established figures. “I said it then, and I maintain it now! I am running for President in 2027!” he declared.

Sowore further stated that his campaign is well-versed in the methods of traditional political actors and intends to resist any efforts to define his candidacy through the lens of external alliances. He maintains that his focus remains on the specific goals of his party, regardless of the shifting alliances among other opposition figures.

Conclusion

The exchange highlights the growing tension within the opposition as political parties begin to position themselves for the next election cycle. While Donald Duke has advocated for a unified front, the reaction from Omoyele Sowore underscores the deep-seated mistrust and ideological differences that continue to complicate efforts at coalition building. As of now, the claims regarding Obasanjo’s involvement and the specific intentions behind the consensus discussions remain allegations made by Sowore, with no independent verification provided by the source.

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p class=”vbna-source-note”>Source: Daily Post Nigeria

Tags: 2027 Election · Donald Duke · news · Nigeria Politics · Omoyele Sowore · Peter Obi · ViralBrief