Former Cross River State Governor and Peoples Redemption Party presidential candidate, Donald Duke, has warned that continued division among major opposition contenders could give President Bola Tinubu an advantage in the 2027 presidential election.

Duke made the remark during an appearance on Channels Television’s Morning Brief, where he discussed the prospects of opposition candidates ahead of the election. He specifically pointed to the separate political ambitions of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi as a major factor that could split opposition votes.

According to Duke, the experience of the 2023 presidential election showed how votes can become fragmented when several major opposition candidates contest separately. He argued that the opposition would face difficulties challenging the ruling All Progressives Congress if leading contenders fail to build a common platform.

Duke’s comments come as political parties and their candidates intensify preparations for the 2027 general elections. His assessment represents his own political prediction and does not establish the eventual outcome of the election.

Meanwhile, the Atiku Abubakar 2027 Presidential Campaign has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission to ensure that registered voters are able to collect their Permanent Voter Cards. The campaign also called for neutrality and transparency in the conduct of the electoral process.

The campaign’s Director of Media and Publicity, Kola Ologbondiyan, called for the decentralisation of PVC collection to the ward level, extended collection hours and the use of technology to notify voters when their cards are ready. The campaign also raised concerns about what it described as possible administrative obstacles affecting PVC collection.

Separately, the African Democratic Congress National Chairman, David Mark, said the party would play by electoral rules but would not accept being rigged out. His comments came during a meeting with the Savannah Centre for Diplomacy, Democracy and Development as political stakeholders continue preparations for the 2027 polls.

A new Yiaga Africa survey has meanwhile shown strong interest in the 2027 election, with 84 per cent of respondents saying they are likely or very likely to vote. However, the survey found that 61 per cent identified fear of violence as a potential barrier to voting, while only 34 per cent expressed confidence that INEC would conduct credible elections. The survey covered 2,470 Nigerians across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory in September 2026.