Haba, Na Only You?” – Donald Duke Teases Atiku Over His Repeated Presidential Ambitions

Former Governor of Rivers State, Donald Duke, has expressed surprise over the sustained presidential ambition of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, questioning his repeated bids for Nigeria’s highest office over the years.

According to Ireporter Online, Duke described the development as unnecessary, stating that it was unusual for a single individual to consistently contest for the presidency across multiple election cycles spanning decades.

He recalled that Atiku first contested for the presidency in 1992 against the late MKO Abiola and has since remained a recurring figure in subsequent elections, including 2003, 2007, 2011, 2019, and 2023. Duke, speaking at a recent gathering, questioned the persistence, remarking in a rhetorical tone, “Haba! Na only you dey?”

He further argued that political leaders should, at a point, reconsider their ambitions and transition into mentoring roles rather than continuously seeking power. According to him, “There’s a time you look at it and say, ‘Enough is enough. Let me be a kingmaker rather than the king.’”

Duke also raised concerns about Nigeria’s leadership rotation, questioning the implications of repeated regional dominance in the presidency. He stressed the importance of fairness and balance in political representation, noting that leadership equity should be considered in national decision-making, even if zoning is not formally endorsed.