Donald Duke, a former governor of Cross River State and the presidential flagbearer of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), has disclosed that he would target a petrol price of about ₦300 per litre if he secures victory in the 2027 presidential election.
The PRP candidate revealed this on Wednesday during an interview with Channels Television’s The Morning Brief, where he discussed his proposed economic policies and preparations for the 2027 poll.
Duke identified a reduction in the cost of petrol as one of the areas his administration would prioritise, pointing to the importance of fuel to economic activities across the country.
Asked about the price he considered achievable under his leadership, the former governor said, “Try and bring it to about ₦300.”
He said making petroleum products accessible and reasonably priced would help improve productivity among Nigerians while also supporting economic growth.
Duke argued that the government should establish an environment that enables people to earn a living, transport commodities, provide services and operate businesses without being overwhelmed by expensive energy costs.
“I’ve said severally that the function of government is to ensure the productivity of their citizens within a safe and orderly environment. Fuel drives your economy. It should be available. It should be affordable,” he stated.
His comments come against the backdrop of sustained public concern over petrol prices and the effect of rising energy costs on transportation, food, commercial activities and household finances.
The former governor has also previously called for Nigeria’s crude oil resources to be utilised in a way that would make locally consumed petroleum products less expensive.
Speaking in September, Duke argued that petrol could cost between ₦200 and ₦300 per litre if crude oil intended for domestic refineries was supplied based on the expense of producing it rather than being linked entirely to global market prices.
He suggested that revenue generated from other products derived from crude could be sold at prevailing commercial rates, with the proceeds helping to bring down the actual cost of petrol and diesel.
Duke has stressed that the proposal is not an attempt to revive the former fuel subsidy arrangement. Instead, he supports a system that reflects the cost of producing crude in Nigeria while taking the country’s domestic energy requirements into consideration.
On the political landscape ahead of the 2027 election, Duke advised opposition parties to focus on developing a collective agenda for Nigeria rather than simply seeking to unseat the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
He maintained that parties hoping to take control of government should first determine the kind of country they want to build and agree on a common policy direction.
“The objective shouldn’t be to move the APC and replace it with another person. First of all, the real objective is: where are we taking Nigeria to? We must have a common vision,” he said.
Duke further questioned the level of public trust in the electoral process, stating that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) must demonstrate its readiness to deliver a credible election in 2027.
According to him, many citizens have developed reservations about the commission and would need convincing that the next election would meet acceptable standards of fairness and transparency.
“The onus is on them, INEC, actually to convince Nigerians that there will be free and fair elections. Nigerians have become very cynical and sceptical of INEC, and I’m one of them,” Duke said.
The former Cross River governor became the PRP’s presidential candidate after emerging victorious at the party’s primary conducted in May 2026.
His emergence was subsequently contested by another aspirant, Yakubu Kingsley, who approached the Federal High Court in Abuja seeking an order to set aside Duke’s nomination.
Kingsley’s case centred on allegations concerning Duke’s membership of the party, the conduct of the primary and claims of over-voting in certain states.
However, the court threw out the suit in September, determining that the case was statute-barred and that the claimant had also failed to establish the allegations presented before the court.
The dismissal of the case means Duke continues to represent the PRP as its presidential candidate as preparations for the 2027 general elections gather momentum.
