Duke-Abiola campaign claims growing support for UN top job

The campaign for Akasoba Duke-Abiola's potential candidacy for United Nations Secretary-General is asserting a surge in support across Africa, the Caribbean, and Latin America as the race to succeed António Guterres intensifies. Dr. Jenny Clarence, Chief of Global Outreach for the campaign, stated that networks linked to the African Policy and Research Consortium (APRC) form a significant part of this expanding base of support.

Duke-Abiola, a lawyer, human rights advocate, and expert in migration and border issues, is the widow of the late Chief MKO Abiola, who was declared the winner of Nigeria's June 12, 1993 presidential election. The campaign highlights the APRC, described as a pan-African policy and research network with connections in over 20 African countries and institutional ties beyond the continent, as instrumental in garnering support.

Countries such as South Africa, Rwanda, Egypt, Barbados, Chile, and Kenya are mentioned as being associated with the broader support network for Duke-Abiola's campaign. The campaign characterizes these relationships as strategic African, diplomatic, Caribbean, and Latin American support, indicating a growing international constituency.

Despite these claims, Akasoba Duke-Abiola is not presently included on the United Nations' official list of eight formally nominated contenders for the Secretary-General position. The UN procedure requires nominations to be submitted by member states, and the organization publicly lists all received nominations. This distinction suggests that the support cited by the campaign may represent political and institutional backing rather than a formally registered UN nomination, a point that becomes increasingly significant as the selection process progresses.

The formal process, which began in November 2025, involves invitations to member states to submit nominations. The current list of eight candidates includes figures like former Chilean President Michelle Bachelet and UNCTAD Secretary-General Rebeca Grynspan. The campaign's emphasis on diverse international support, exemplified by the nomination of Ecuadorian-Lebanese candidate Ivonne Baki by Tonga, aims to underscore the increasingly global nature of the contest.

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The campaign for Akasoba Duke-Abiola’s proposed candidature for United Nations Secretary-General is claiming growing support across Africa, the Caribbean and Latin America, as the international race to succeed António Guterres enters a new phase.