Donald Duke; My Childhood Legend.

I have always loved Donald Duke since I was a boy in secondary school (JSS2). He was a fine young man with so much calm and grace. I remember hearing people who went to Calabar talk about how neat and beautiful the city was.

One edition of Gulder Ultimate Search was held in Obudu Cattle Ranch in 2005 when he was governor. The scenery of the resort which he masterminded really blew my mind.

He was about the youngest governor and he had swag. Did I say he talked well? I liked the way he talked.

Donald Duke made me really desired to be a governor. His poise was second to none. O yes! Bukola Saraki too was a fine governor but Donald Duke was arguably finer and better.

Calabar festival was a major bang! The man successfully turned Calabar into a name on everyone’s lips.

In 2007, I knew he was going to stop being governor and I will stop seeing or hearing about him. All I wanted was for Donald Duke to be President of Nigeria. I am sure I must have prayed for him to be President. I remember my uncle told me that “Peter Odili” would be the next president after President Obasanjo. I was sad. Eventually, Umar Musa Yar’dua, became the president- a very infamous man but the best president of Nigeria post-1999. Since President Yar’dua was doing well, I did not remember my Donald Duke anymore.

11 years later Donald Duke is contesting to be President of Nigeria and I can’t really find that childhood love I had for him. However, he inspired my love for politics in a number of ways. I hope he still has the poise and innovativeness.

I grew up in Abeokuta far away from Calabar but I heard of Donald Duke as a young teenager. That is what I call; influence !

Donald Duke inspired me.