I hereby nominate an "aggresive natured" Donald Duke for presidency, which means that he needs to be more aggressive and stern in his policies and approaches but nevertheless he is a perfect candidate for presidency.

Donald Duke (born 30 September 1961 in Calabar) has been the Governor of Cross River State since 1999. He has been at the helms of affairs of the State since the commencment of the present democratic dispensation in Nigeria. He received LLB degrees from Ahmadu Bello University and the University of Pennsylvania.

Spearheading the incumbent debt of Nigeria, Duke pushed for democracy and against military control. He stated; "What got the military out of power was not democracy but the dreadful state of the economy. If we, the democratic government, cannot deliver food for the mass of people we can forget about democracy.(1)"

In six years of intensive reconstruction hinged on unflinching commitment, the governor has not only tidied up some of the projects he inherited from preceding governments, but has also delivered almost to the whole on his infrastructural, tourism, health, agricultural, environmental and social agenda. The result being a new emerging Cross River State, enviably repositioned among the must-visit states in Nigeria.

Delivering vision has always proved difficult in governance. With various governments either failing to embark on promised projects or being unable to successfully complete those already initiated. Thus leaving a back-log of uncompleted and abandoned projects. An untidy situation that eventually takes a toll on the fiscal policies and the smooth running of succeeding governments. Today in Cross River State, the present Donald Duke-led administration has redefined service delivery by effectively bridging the gap between visions, proposals, targets and realistic programme.

The State Capital, Calabar and the other urban centers of Ugep, lkom, 0goja and Obudu are being positively transformed from mere towns to true Urban centers with accompanying improvement in their aesthetic, environmental and social statuses (regular pipe borne water, good road networks, clean and green environments and effective health are delivery). The non-urban towns and communities have equally accessed the developmental impact of the government. Over 90% are electrified.

The education sector also got commendable attention. Model schools were re-established and renovated across the State; textbooks are being provided at subsidized rate for public schools, while various levies and fees are either waived or subsidized by government.
The major impact on this sector has been the renovation and upgrading of the Okuku Campus of the University of Calabar and the total tum-around of the Cross River University of Technology (CRUTECH).

Health wise, the life expectancy of the average Cross Riverian must be seen as improving. This is achieved by the presence of a healthier living environment on one hand and government's comprehensive health policy on the other. General Hospitals, health centers and other such. For example The fight against HIV AIDS in Cross River State is the most intensive in Nigeria.

The administration of justice in the State is worthy of note too. Renovation of courts and the welfare of judicial officers have been a prime issue in government priorities. The working conditions and the prompt remuneration of Civil Servants are equally commendable.

The achievements of Donald Duke's administration are endless. But the total restoration of the Obudu Ranch Resort and the complete installation of the able car have been heralded the world over as over achievement in the tourism sector, which has seen the repackaging of tourist sites in the State. Accordingly attracting an appreciable infuses of tourists.

On the heels of these tourist landmarks, the Governor is capping it up with the TINAPA project which has been disucssed in some threads in Nairaland. The project is gradually emerging a reality with the set delivery date of 2006 becoming more and more realistic. Having actualized this much of his vision for Cross River State, Mr. Donald Duke must be commended.

A rarity in governance with all his diverse achievements, and the best candidate without any doubt for the presidency coming 2007.

If Chief Madam Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala does not contest, I will support Donald Duke.
But I hate one thing about him: I think he's a socialist:

If we, the democratic government, cannot deliver food for the mass of people we can forget about democracy.

My response: "Listen, my dear oga, if I want food I will go to Mr. Biggs or a road-side buka. The proper role of government is to enforce law and order and get out of the way so the private sector can generate prosperity. If you don't have a plan for the reform of the political and legal systems, we don't need you wasting our tax money trying to provide everything for free. Government is not Father Christmas and we are not children of politicians!"

@ Seun, I cannot believe you could said that.

Though Donald may be a socialist but the man is hot and am sure if he was given the chance to become the president of NIGERIA, we will see lot of changes. He is young and he seems to know alot.

I just like the man ways of doing.

I support Donald Duke to be president but even if the whole NIGERIANS voted for him, all dis people still know how to manipulate things.

Our vote have nothing to do with presidency because they do things their own way. GOD WILL SAVE NAIJA.

i will support him if he does his homework well.

Duke is the man I think Nigeria needs to change country Economically. He has prooved it by transforming the old Calabar region into a paradise.

I think we should encourage and support him for he is a man of Wisdom, Handsome Intelligent and most of all he is not self minded.

Talking about socialist and all that.

Do u think Duke was able to provide such development without the private companies involved?

or if there is a private company he would drive them away cos he wants to develop the state alone?

Do u know how many companies would love to invest in the state because of the State because of the bright future it has?

We all know about the free trade zone that will soon turn the state into the Dubai of Africa.

Calabar should be Happy and pray he is still involve in running the affairs of the state after 2007.

Otherwise,

I imagine in Duke, a man that the whole world would accept. The youths and elders alike will adore him. He delivers, and that is what govt is!

@seun, I don't know how you managed to reach the conclusion that the man is a socialist. The point he was simply making is that if the everyday man cannot get food to eat (and believe me, there are millions and millions of nigerians who can't simply "go to Mr Biggs", then whatver kind of rulership we have is worthless. In short every policy should be to "deliver" - as in deliver dividends of democray, not give for free - the daily mans means.

I prefer donald duke and saying that he is a socialist hasnt changed a thing, The guy is tight,intelligent and educated, well mannered and the face of whom i would rather choose than to choose okonjo. Okonjo has not tried running a state so we see her capacity. Donald duke is a governor and he has done quite well and great as a governor, infact i can say after bola tinubu, he is the best governor in Nigeria. He would b a good presi i believe!

I agree that he's likely to do well as a president, and I'll vote for him if Dr. Okonjo-Iweala and Pat Utomi are not contesting. I just don't like political messiahs. It's a personal thing. He's good, and he's handsome too.

I would really like him to be the president, but this tribal issue now comes into the picture, if you are not one of the 3 it would realy be hard for him. Hope its possible

he is the best choice for a President from amongst the present governors. Pls lets forget about ethnicity in Nigeria if we're to go places.

Please for once lets have a president that went to the university! cos i dont see the average education and development of a country going pass the level of education of the president of that country

Plus the guy has class and style. Look what he did in cross river! what the worthless Victor Attah could not do in uyo with N11b allocation monthly

Even if Donald Duke becomes a president, it still will not be enough to make a major shift in direction in Nigeria.

Donald Duke may be what Nigeria needs at the moment. A young savvy and responsible politician who knows is wits. He has been a transformer, having change the face of calabar. He is not known to join other governors at periods of sabotaginf democracy ( eg Third Term). A Presidency or at least a VP post for the man will really mean well for the young people of Nigeria.

Donald Duke may be what Nigeria needs at the moment. A young savvy and responsible politician who knows is wits. He has been a transformer, having change the face of calabar. He is not known to join other governors at periods of sabotaginf democracy ( eg Third Term). A Presidency or at least a VP post for the man will really mean well for the young people of Nigeria.

I have to agree with u on that one my friend!

it's worth login in just to say that, yes Donald Duke for president.

doesnt that just sound right??!!!

I support him

i am also glad to let everyone know that it is only in cross river state that we now use recharge card to fetch water at our homes.It really been beautiful.

Afeni:

Even if Donald Duke becomes a president, it still will not be enough to make a major shift in direction in Nigeria.

Guy i can assure you, if Duke becomes president, just go to sleep by the time you wake up, you'll think you in Hong Kong.Whereas you are still in Nigeria.I give him 100% support. I live in calabar, so i can testify.

I schooled in calabar, i saw the transformation of the city when he became governor, i went to calabar a year after graduation and i couldn't believe the improvement, now i hear he has even done more. he's got vision, he is what we need.
i support him.

Duke is the leader nigeria needs at the moment. a man born after independence with no ties to ethnicity, educated and a proven intellect. I would support him 1000%

Duke is good and is a focused Governor who needed to make an impact in the land of governance in Nigeria. Greetings Our leader

No controversy about him all these years. I just hope that all is well in that state.
Based on the good results coming from calabar I think he will make an impact in Nigeria as a leader, he has matured well in corridor of Nigeria policaticl power.

The Pat’s and Iweala’s of our time should continue to formulate policies.

This is not the time to experiment otherwise what happened in Nigeria preparation to World Cup may happen again we need to pass this bridge of transaction of a civil government handling over to other civil government.

After this process we can inject this “Fresh” hands into governance well.

Just finished reading the daily headlines and rushed to the forum to start a Duke for president topic. You can't imagine how pleasantly pleased I was to see it as the latest topic in the politics section. It goes to show a lot of us are thinking along thesame lines.

Duke for President?? Oh my God, I am having a rush just thinking about it. This guy has been governing his state for the last 7 years and no one has heard anything negative about him. All we hear are stories about the rejuvenated beauty of Calabar streets and ofcourse the emergence of TINAPA. If only PDP would be fair enough in voting for the best, Duke has no competition. He represents the new age in governance we have all been craving for. He's got the charisma and ofcourse is well educated. He will provide an almost seamless transfer of power from the old to the young, I say let all those old bags go to hell!!!!!!

I don't see any reason for Odili being shortlisted aside from the fact that he was quite close to Baba all through his tenure. I schooled in PH between '88 and '94 and compared with what the garden city was known to be back then (even though it wasnt paradise on earth), all I can say is Odili is a non-performer. Why would we want someone like that in Aso Rock? And who the hell is Attah?? My only fear with Duke is that the guy is not as aggressive as the others when it comes to fighting for this sort of nomination. He might just be bullied into conceeding to another.

But if ever he is nominated for presidency, I will decamp from AD (as if I was active in the first place) and vote for that vibrant young man called Donald Duke!! He is the Rawlings we have been waiting for, God help us.

please lets not compare Mr. Donald Duke with Mr. Jerry Rawlings who wasted his country's money in buying a jet that they did not need which the present government has just gotten rid off. But please is there not something wrong perhaps a mistake that this man has done abi is he now a spirit being. We all make mistakes as humans. The argument for an educated president does not hold water. See what the medically trained Sir. Dr. Chief. Bishop Peter Odili Ksc, Jp has done to rivers state; donating all their money to "charitable" causes. How about the "To God be the glory man" at ebeano.com who succeeded in deceiving Nigerians who watch NTA that there is progress in Enugu State.

I am happy to see that every one is in support of Duke for president exept for Seun who says he would only vote him if Okonjo and Pat are not included.
Well lets form a party and present Duke as the president.

You may be surprise he will win and the sky will be the limit for the country (Nigeria)

otokx:

How about the "To God be the glory man" at ebeano.com who succeeded in deceiving Nigerians who watch NTA that there is progress in Enugu State.

Well read this Ebano, i think at last we discovered that Ebano was deceiving the country. There is nothing hidding under the sun. for ebano to be that for so long in time was that he actually had some project going on in the state.

But talking of Master Duke I have been there I have seen things for my self, I think U need to take a visit to Obudu ranch Resort

but what has donald duke said in all of this or is it too early for that?

http://www.crossriverstate.com/govprofile.htm

http://www.crossriverstate.com/



Go to this site to see things for your self


Well on what he hes said Donald Duke is ot the Loud type


Have you ever see him showing his developmental programs on TV like Ebano he is quite good things speek for themselves

Do u know that the Obudu Cable transport is the longest in he world?

http://www.crossriverstate.com/govprofile.htm

http://www.crossriverstate.com/



Go to this site to see things for your self


Well on what he hes said Donald Duke is ot the Loud type


Have you ever see him showing his developmental programs on TV like Ebano he is quite good things speek for themselves

Do u know that the Obudu Cable transport is the longest in he world?