Agada Rejects Ideology-free Coalition, Insists On YPP Ticket

The Young Progressives Party (YPP) will conduct its final substitution primary today to elect its presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections.

The exercise is expected to be conducted through online voting, according to the statement issued by the campaign council.

Former Labour Party presidential aspirant, Peter Agada, is among those seeking the YPP presidential ticket.

Agada, an architect and entrepreneur, has in recent months promoted his LabourDirect governance model and called for greater grassroots participation in Nigeria’s economy and politics.

During consultations with political stakeholders, youth groups, professional bodies and community representatives, Agada said his decision to join the YPP was driven largely by ideology.

He said he was not interested in belonging to a political platform without a clear policy direction.

“I don’t belong to a political party without first interrogating its constitution, manifesto and ideological direction,” Agada said.

According to him, the YPP’s emphasis on ideas and values influenced his decision to seek its presidential ticket.

He said his economic agenda centred on production, inclusion, institutional reform and grassroots development.

On borrowing, Agada said Nigeria needed to examine how borrowed funds were obtained and deployed.

“My position is straightforward. Nigeria is enormously endowed,” he said.

He added, “This is not an argument that every form of borrowing is inherently evil. The fundamental questions are: What are we borrowing for? Under what conditions? In what currency? What is the return on that borrowing?”

Agada also advocated a leaner government, arguing that reducing administrative costs could free resources for infrastructure, healthcare, education and productive sectors.

“Government must cost less so that development can receive more,” he said.

The presidential aspirant said his proposed “ward capitalism” would take economic opportunities closer to communities.

He explained that the model would make wards important units for economic development, enterprise support, infrastructure and production.

“The philosophy is simple. Abuja – Ward – Enterprise – Production – Prosperity,” Agada said.

On coalition politics, the YPP aspirant said any political alliance must be based on a shared programme rather than electoral calculations.

“My first question would be: a coalition around what? Coalition for coalition’s sake does not solve Nigeria’s problems,” he said.

Agada said prospective coalition partners must agree on policies covering education, healthcare, production, youth employment and economic development.

He also advocated greater political participation for young Nigerians, women and professionals.

According to him, the cost of political participation should not become a barrier to capable Nigerians seeking public office.

Agada said his movement was focused on building a long-term political structure that would remain active beyond the 2027 election.

“If I do not become President in 2027, I am prepared to remain in the YPP and continue building,” he said.

“This project cannot be reduced to one election.”

He said his decision to contest in 2027 was informed by concerns over unemployment, insecurity, poverty and the political participation of young Nigerians.

Agada also said he remained committed to the principles of dignity of labour, economic inclusion and social justice despite his movement from the Labour Party to the YPP.