I want to be president of Nigeria - Donald Duke

Former governor of Cross River State, Mr Donald Duke, had declared his intention to run for the president of Nigeria if the opportunity presents itself again.
Vanguard reports that the former governor made this revelation at a programme, “The Nigerian Symposium for Emerging Leaders ‘’, held in Lagos.
He revealed that he once aspired to the highest position in the country on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party but things did not work as planned.

Duke said it was because of his preference for the presidency that stopped him for contesting for the Senate at the expiration of his governorship tenure.
He said: “I do not have the flair for the legislature; standing up and sitting down at the chambers to raise a point. That was why I did not contest for the Senate but the presidency, after serving out my term as governor.
“I have contested the presidency before; I will still give it a shot when the opportunity presents itself . I believe I still have the energy in me.”
He noted that developed countries had young people actively participating in their political affairs and called on Nigerian youths to start doing same.
He said: “I want to urge young people in the country not to see leadership as if it belongs to some people, but do everything positive to be part of it.
“You can only make a difference at the prime of your life. You can actually add value now, not when you are above 50.
“So, you need to be part of the political process and play your part. It is your right to be there; nobody is doing you a favour.
“You represent more than 60 per cent of the population; you don’t have to beg for it. “Just make effort to make that change and contribute your quota to nation building.”

Governor Peter Obi of Anambra who was also at the event spoke about the problems in the country saying transparency was needed to eradicate corruption.
He said: “The way forward is that governments should make their budgets more explicit and published. The plans and the money to be spent on them should be clearly stated. “
That is when people can track and make comparative analysis with previous budgets and then we can achieve some transparency.”