Former Cross River State Governor Donald Duke has sparked conversations after speaking highly of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, describing him as a determined leader who thinks outside the box and praising his impact during his years as Governor of Lagos State.
In the remarks attributed to him, Duke reflected on his personal knowledge of Tinubu and highlighted what he believes separates the two politicians, particularly in the area of political strategy and relationship-building.
“I know Bola Tinubu very well. He’s a very determined person who thinks outside the box. He’s the most impactful Governor of Lagos,” Duke said.
He went further to compare their political approaches, admitting that Tinubu possesses a political strength that he believes he personally lacks.
“The difference between us is that he plays the right politics which I lack. I wish I have someone who could back me up with Tinubu’s kind of politics,” he added.
The comments have attracted attention because Duke and Tinubu are two of the most recognisable political figures to emerge from Nigeria’s democratic era. Both men served as governors during the Fourth Republic and were widely regarded as influential leaders during their time in office.
However, their political journeys after leaving office have taken very different paths.
Donald Duke and Bola Tinubu: Two Leaders With Different Political Journeys
Donald Duke served as Governor of Cross River State between 1999 and 2007. During his time in office, he became known for his focus on tourism, urban development, environmental initiatives and efforts to improve the image of Cross River State.
Projects associated with his administration helped place Cross River on the national and international tourism map. The development of attractions such as the Obudu Mountain Resort and the annual Calabar Carnival became some of the major highlights frequently linked to his years as governor.
Duke also built a reputation as a polished public speaker and a politician with ideas that often focused on governance, development and long-term planning.
Bola Tinubu, on the other hand, served as Governor of Lagos State from 1999 to 2007. His administration is widely associated with major reforms in governance, taxation, revenue generation and the restructuring of key institutions in Lagos.
Tinubu’s years as governor also became an important foundation for his long-term political influence.
Unlike many governors who left office and gradually disappeared from national politics, Tinubu remained deeply involved in political organisation, party-building and leadership development.
Over the years, he built alliances, supported political figures and became one of the most influential politicians in Nigeria.
It is this ability to combine governance with long-term political strategy that Duke appears to be referring to in his remarks.
“He Plays the Right Politics”
Perhaps the most striking part of Duke’s statement was his admission that Tinubu possesses a political skill that he believes he lacks.
“The difference between us is that he plays the right politics which I lack,” Duke reportedly said.
Politics is not only about having good ideas or implementing projects. It also involves building relationships, creating alliances, understanding people, maintaining influence and developing networks that can survive beyond a single political tenure.
Tinubu has long been recognised as a politician with a strong ability to build and maintain political structures.
Many political leaders who worked with him at different stages of their careers later went on to become governors, ministers, lawmakers and influential figures in Nigeria’s political landscape.
This ability to identify, support and work with political talent has often been described as one of the strongest aspects of Tinubu’s political career.
Duke’s statement therefore raises an important question: Is good governance alone enough to build lasting political influence?
Governance and Politics Are Not Always the Same
Nigeria has produced many leaders who were praised for their achievements in office but struggled to maintain political relevance after leaving government.
There have also been politicians who may not always receive the same level of praise for governance but possess extraordinary political skills.
The reality is that governance and politics require different abilities.
A good governor may understand infrastructure, education, healthcare, tourism and economic development. However, political success requires another set of skills, including negotiation, communication, coalition-building and understanding the interests of different groups.
According to Duke’s reflection, Tinubu appears to possess both the ability to think strategically and the political intelligence needed to maintain a strong network.
This combination has helped shape his political journey over several decades.
For Duke, the comparison may also represent a moment of honest self-reflection.
By openly admitting that he lacks some of Tinubu’s political strengths, he highlighted something many leaders may find difficult to acknowledge: nobody succeeds in every aspect of leadership.
The Importance of Political Support
Duke also reportedly said, “I wish I have someone who could back me up with Tinubu’s kind of politics.”
This part of the statement speaks to the importance of having strong support systems in politics.
Behind every successful political figure is often a network of supporters, advisers, strategists, party members, community leaders and loyal associates.
Politics can be difficult to navigate alone.
Even the most intelligent or visionary leader needs people who understand the political environment and can help build relationships and protect long-term interests.
Tinubu’s political journey has demonstrated the importance of structure and organisation.
Political influence is rarely built overnight. It takes years of investment in people, relationships and institutions.
This may explain why Tinubu has remained a major figure in Nigerian politics for decades.
Tinubu’s Impact in Lagos
Duke’s description of Tinubu as “the most impactful Governor of Lagos” will undoubtedly generate debate.
Lagos has had several governors since the beginning of Nigeria’s Fourth Republic, and each administration has contributed to the development of the state in different ways.
However, supporters of Tinubu often point to the reforms and political structures established during his administration as part of the foundation for Lagos State’s continued growth.
One of the major areas frequently associated with Tinubu’s administration is the reform of Lagos State’s revenue system.
The increased focus on internally generated revenue helped Lagos expand its financial capacity and reduce its dependence on federal allocations.
His administration also introduced reforms in public institutions and laid foundations that were expanded by subsequent administrations.
Whether one agrees completely with Duke’s assessment or not, there is little doubt that Tinubu’s years in Lagos had a major influence on his future political career.
A Lesson in Leadership and Strategy
Donald Duke’s remarks provide an interesting lesson beyond Nigerian politics.
Success often requires more than talent.
A person can be intelligent, hardworking and full of good ideas, but without the right relationships and support systems, it can be difficult to achieve long-term goals.
Tinubu’s political journey demonstrates the importance of building networks, supporting people and thinking beyond immediate opportunities.
Duke’s journey, meanwhile, demonstrates the value of ideas, creativity and development-focused leadership.
Both political figures have made their mark in different ways.
Final Thoughts
Donald Duke’s praise of Bola Tinubu has once again brought attention to the unique political journey of Nigeria’s president.
By describing Tinubu as a determined person who thinks outside the box, Duke highlighted qualities that have defined the President’s long political career.
Perhaps the most interesting part of his statement was his honest admission that Tinubu possesses a political ability he wishes he had.
In politics, leadership is not only about delivering projects. It is also about building relationships, creating structures and developing the right strategy for the future.
Duke’s comments remind Nigerians that political success often comes from a combination of vision, determination, intelligence and strong networks.
Whether people agree or disagree with his assessment of Tinubu as the most impactful Governor of Lagos, the statement has certainly opened another conversation about leadership, political strategy and the qualities required to build lasting influence in Nigeria.
One thing remains clear: the political journeys of Donald Duke and Bola Tinubu offer two different but important lessons about leadership—and the relationship between good ideas, governance and the complex game of politics.