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By Beifoh Osewele
People’s Redemption Party (PRP) presidential candidate, Donald Duke, has attracted international media attention ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general election, with an Indonesian publication spotlighting his candidacy and reform agenda.
Global Hukum Indonesia, in reports on the former Cross River State governor’s presidential bid, presented Duke as one of Nigeria’s promising presidential contenders of the past two decades and highlighted his proposals on economic reform, education, technology and Artificial Intelligence.
The publication said Duke was attracting attention from international political and economic observers as campaigns for the January 16, 2027 presidential election gather momentum.
It stated that media organisations and observers in the United States, Europe and Asia, including Washington, Brussels, China, Malaysia and Indonesia, were monitoring developments around his campaign.
The publication highlighted Duke’s vision and record in government, presenting them as indicators of the approach he intends to bring to national governance.
It said: “In response to Nigeria’s economic and governance challenges, Duke is committed to far-reaching structural reforms aimed at building a fair, transparent and corruption-free government.
“Combating corruption in government institutions is central to Duke’s strategy to restore the confidence of domestic and international investors, reduce poverty, improve public welfare and position Nigeria as a leading economic powerhouse on the African continent.”
Duke, who governed Cross River State between 1999 and 2007 following Nigeria’s return to democratic rule, is one of the 18 presidential candidates on the final list released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
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He was elected governor on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 1999 and re-elected in 2003. He later contested the 2019 presidential election on the platform of the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
For the 2027 election, Duke is flying the flag of the PRP.
Global Hukum Indonesia also highlighted his education programme, saying his campaign regards education as both a right and a fundamental obligation.
According to the publication, Duke’s programme envisages modernising Nigeria’s basic and higher education systems to expand access to quality education and give young Nigerians greater opportunities to compete globally.
It also drew attention to Duke’s proposed national Artificial Intelligence strategy, designed to harness emerging technology for governance and economic development.
Under the proposal, AI tools would be deployed in public administration to streamline government operations, improve public services, enhance transparency and strengthen digital systems for combating corruption.
The strategy also envisages deploying AI and other technologies to accelerate transformation in agriculture, manufacturing, financial technology and other strategic sectors, alongside a nationwide digital literacy programme.
The publication said the programme would extend the use of modern technology and AI to public infrastructure, healthcare and public safety.
It presented Duke’s approach as combining an international outlook with domestic governance experience and said his programme could provide a framework for addressing Nigeria’s economic and technological challenges as the country heads towards the 2027 presidential election.
