2027: Zugwai-Chukwu emerges YPP presidential candidate

…says Nigeria’s future can’t remain mortgaged to poor leadership

By Luminous Jannamike

ABUJA — The Young Progressives Party, YPP, has elected Mrs Anita Zugwai-Chukwu as its presidential candidate for the 2027 general election and launched Agenda 469, a political initiative aimed at securing a strong presence in the National Assembly ahead of the polls.

The convention marked the party’s formal entry into the 2027 presidential race, with the YPP unveiling its candidate and setting out its vision for the elections amid growing public concern over economic hardship, insecurity, unemployment and governance challenges.

Speaking at the party’s 3rd National Convention in Abuja, themed ‘Resetting A Better Future Now,’ YPP National Chairman, Comrade Bishop Amakiri, and the party’s presidential candidate, Mrs Zugwai-Chukwu, outlined the party’s priorities for the elections and called for nationwide mobilisation.

“The future of our country cannot continue to be mortgaged by failed leadership, economic hardship, insecurity, unemployment and hopelessness. Nigerians deserve better, and together we must reset the future now,” Amakiri said.

A major highlight of the convention was the unveiling of Agenda 469, which the party described as a national political initiative focused on increasing its representation in the National Assembly and advancing reforms through the legislative process.

According to Amakiri, the initiative is anchored on the constitutional provision that the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government.

He said the party would unveil a detailed implementation plan in the coming months and urged members, youth groups, women organisations, professionals and other progressive-minded Nigerians to rally behind the initiative.

Amakiri also accused the ruling party of attempting to weaken opposition parties and manipulate democratic institutions for political advantage.

“Every effort to manipulate electoral laws and democratic institutions for selfish political gain will fail if Nigerians, the true victims of bad governance, rise to reject such actions through the ballot in 2027,” he said.

The YPP chairman paid tribute to the party’s founding members and pioneer supporters, saying their sacrifices and commitment since the party’s registration on June 7, 2017, had sustained the movement through difficult times.

He said the party remained committed to building an egalitarian society founded on justice, equity, accountability and people-centred governance, adding that Nigerians remained the country’s greatest resource.

“After nearly three decades of democratic experience in the Fourth Republic, we have learned one fundamental truth: everything rises and falls on leadership. We cannot afford to get leadership wrong any longer,” Amakiri said.

In her acceptance speech, Zugwai-Chukwu, said: “The Young Progressives Party is strong because of the strength, commitment and sacrifice of its members.

“Let me state clearly that my personal ambition will always remain secondary to the stability, growth and success of our party. I pledge my loyalty to the YPP, my fidelity to its ideals and my total commitment to the unity of our members across the federation.”

The presidential candidate said Nigerians were yearning for transparent, accountable and people-centred leadership and pledged to work with party members across the country to advance that goal.

“This is a season of testing, but it is also a season of great opportunity. Together, we will navigate it with discipline, wisdom, courage and faith in God,” she said.

The convention also saw party leaders rally members around what they described as a long-term effort to strengthen the party’s presence at both the executive and legislative levels ahead of the 2027 elections.

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