Opposition Coalition Must Not Let Replacing Tinubu Override National Interest — YPP VP Candidate

The Vice-Presidential Candidate of the Young Progressives Party (YPP), Patience Ndidi Key, has said opposition coalition talks ahead of the 2027 elections must be driven by a clear governing programme and national interest, not merely by the desire to remove President Bola Tinubu.

Key, who is running alongside the YPP presidential candidate, Arch. Dr. Peter Ada Agada, said she supports principled political cooperation, but insisted that essential questions must be answered before discussing a common candidate.

“As the Young Progressives Party’s Vice-Presidential Candidate, running alongside Arch. Dr. Peter Ada Agada, I support principled political cooperation ahead of the 2027 elections. However, before discussing a common candidate, we must answer essential questions: Coalition with whom, for what purpose, around which programme, and for whose benefit?” she said.

She described removing President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima through the ballot box as a legitimate democratic objective, but warned that replacing them without changing the quality of governance would offer Nigerians little.

“Removing President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima through the ballot box is a legitimate democratic objective. But replacing them without changing the quality of governance would offer Nigerians little. A common opponent is not a common governing programme,” she said.

“This standard applies to Atiku Abubakar, Rotimi Amaechi, Peter Obi, Rabiu Kwankwaso, Adewole Adebayo, Usman Bugaje, Seyi Makinde, Omoyele Sowore — and equally to our YPP ticket. No aspirant should approach coalition discussions assuming that personal ambition overrides the national interest,” she added.

Key said anyone who has served as vice president, governor, minister or legislator must account for that record.

“Anyone who has served as vice president, governor, minister or legislator must account for that record. What improved? Which institutions became stronger? How were public resources managed? Changing parties must not erase responsibility, although each individual’s record must be assessed fairly,” she said.

She cited the lesson of 2015, saying removing President Goodluck Jonathan and electing Muhammadu Buhari did not, in her assessment, deliver the transformation Nigerians expected.

“The lesson of 2015 remains important. Removing President Goodluck Jonathan and electing Muhammadu Buhari did not, in my assessment, deliver the transformation Nigerians expected. We must not repeat the assumption that ‘anyone but the incumbent’ is sufficient preparation for government. Anger can explain why people want change; it cannot explain how the next administration will deliver it,” she said.

“The same scrutiny applies to parties supporting the incumbent. Their alliances must be justified by benefits to Nigerians, not merely political convenience or access to power,” she added.

Key said a coalition worthy of public confidence must begin with a written governing agreement addressing insecurity, poverty, unemployment, corruption, healthcare, education, teachers’ welfare, electricity and infrastructure.

“A coalition worthy of public confidence must begin with a written governing agreement addressing insecurity, poverty, unemployment, corruption, healthcare, education, teachers’ welfare, electricity and infrastructure. It must explain funding, implementation responsibilities, timelines and how citizens will measure progress. Candidate selection must be transparent, and partners must accept scrutiny and accountability,” she said.

She reaffirmed her commitment to the Agada-Key ticket and LabourDirect, the YPP presidential candidate’s agenda.

“I remain committed to the Agada-Key ticket and LabourDirect, our Presidential Candidate’s agenda. Within YPP, I support dialogue with parties and individuals genuinely prepared to build a better government. I do not support exchanging our commitments for positions or joining an alliance whose sole purpose is installing another set of familiar faces. Any formal arrangement must follow the party’s authorised processes. These are the principles I will advocate, not an announcement of a concluded coalition,” she said.

Key urged Nigerians to examine every alliance beyond its prominent names.

“Nigerians should examine every alliance beyond its prominent names. Demand a credible programme and apply the same standards to every candidate — including us,” she said.

“Nigeria must not exchange one disappointment for another. We need cooperation founded on purpose, competence and responsibility — not political desperation. Our objective must be greater than defeating a president: it must be delivering a government worthy of the Nigerian people,” she added.

“That is how we move From Potential to Performance,” she said.