{
  "id": 15621598,
  "title": "Tinubu is my friend but I don't like his politics – Donald Duke",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/19/tinubu-is-my-friend-but-i-dont-like-his-politics-donald-duke",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-19T15:01:43.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Daily Post Nigeria",
    "slug": "daily-post-nigeria",
    "url": "https://dailypost.ng/2026/10/19/tinubu-is-my-friend-but-i-dont-like-his-politics-donald-duke/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Former Cross River Governor and presidential hopeful Donald Duke expressed his friendship with President Bola Tinubu, while differing with the nation's current political trajectory. Duke clarified that their relationship began long before Tinubu's presidency, emphasizing that personal disagreements should not be misconstrued as animosity. Duke spoke on a recent episode of Frontline, a current affairs program on Eagle 102.5 FM, monitored by the DAILY POST in Abeokuta.\n\nDuke maintained that President Tinubu remains a friend, but he is dissatisfied with his administration's direction. He believes that the nation will not make significant progress under the present administration. However, Duke asserted that their friendship remains intact, focusing on their shared personality rather than political disagreements.\n\nAddressing the economic hardships faced by Nigerians, Duke criticized government policies, arguing that they should be evaluated based on their impact on citizens' welfare, not merely official claims of progress. He questioned the effectiveness of various interventions introduced by the Tinubu administration, such as conditional cash transfers, grants for small businesses, student loans, minimum wage adjustments, and the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative. Duke challenged the interview host to identify any policy that had directly benefited him, asserting that temporary financial assistance does not equate to sustainability or productivity.\n\nThe PRP candidate emphasized that government should prioritize creating an environment where Nigerians can earn sustainable incomes, instead of relying on periodic grants and stipends. Duke criticized the unsustainable business environment, citing high interest rates, high energy costs, and challenges faced by businesses dependent on bank financing. He reiterated that Nigeria's abundant natural and human resources should be utilized to enhance productivity and decrease dependence on imports.\n\nDuke clarified that his disagreement with Tinubu is based on governance and economic direction, not personal issues. He stressed that leaders should be assessed by their ability to improve the lives of Nigerians, irrespective of personal relationships or party affiliations.",
  "summary": "Former Governor of Cross River State and presidential candidate of the Peoples Redemption Party, PRP, Donald Duke, says his personal friendship with President Bola Tinubu remains intact despite his disagreement with the direction of the current administration. Duke said his political differences with Tinubu should not be mistaken for personal animosity, noting that their relationship […] Tinubu…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}