APC Set to Woo Donald Duke
The All Progressive Congress, APC is leaving no stone un-turned to woo the former governor of Cross River State, Mr Donald Duke NigerianEcho 
has gathered from reliable sources in the state.
Donald Duke was governor of Cross River State between 1999 and 2007 and he is still very popular amongst his people several years after leaving office. He remains the only former governor that has not been found wanting by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
NigerianEcho gathered that Duke who is very close to Oba Rilwan Akiolu of Lagos has been consulting secretly with some APC chieftains including the Lagos state governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola. He has also reported to have been seen lately at the Bourdillon residence of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Donald Duke had in May 2010 resigned from his ruling Peoples Democratic Party when he reportedly said “It is with dissonant mix of relief and regret that I formally tender my resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
“When in 1998, we came together and forged a vehicle destined, as we thought at the time, to carry forward our beloved country’s hopes… that has not proved to be the case.”
According to Duke “The party, in its present evolutionary state, has become dysfunctional, unable to articulate a road map and lead Nigerians on a clear and concise path to national renewal. Faithfulness and fervor have been dissipated by a seamless stream of internecine factional warfare.”
“I leave behind friends, many with whom I shared sincerity of purpose but, regrettably, no longer share commonality of purpose. …Our politics must be big enough for us to differ as we cohabit.
Donald Duke’s latest visit to Fashola was during his father’s burial where he was seen closely with the Lagos governor in a manner that suggest an on-going political relationship
NigerianEcho investigation shows that Donald Duke returned to the ruling party (PDP) after intense lobbying and persuasion by his friends and political associates before 2011 elections. He had since not been identifying with the party
A chieftain of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN in the South-South was reported to have said “APC is the alternative, it is the viable one, by the special grace of God. Except one has told me t
hat Donald Duke has divested of his citizenship of Nigeria, one can pursue from the premise that he can no more participate in the political platform of his choice given that the constitution guarantee him the freedom of association, No one can stop him from coming into this party.”
“Donald is needed… he is welcomed to APC. We need those big men in APC…”
According to the Chairman of the defunct ACN “…effort is being made to woo Donald and if Liyel his friend is willing to abandon his crisis ridden PDP and join the progressives and embrace the principle of All Progressives Congress, he is welcomed because we need to build a new Nigeria and that is what APC stands for.”
The former governor Duke has been out of reach to confirm the story. Several attempt were made to reach him through phone calls and visit to his residence and office to no avail.
