Peter Agada: I’m Not Desperate for Office, Only Responding to Nigeria’s Urgency

Peter Agada, the newly appointed presidential candidate of the Young Progressives Party (YPP) for the 2027 Nigerian presidential election, has dismissed rumors of his desperation for the office. Instead, he emphasized his response to Nigeria's urgent need for leadership change and reform. Agada's decision to join the YPP stems from his belief in the party's strong ideological foundation and its emphasis on nation-building.

During the final substitution primary for the YPP's presidential election, Agada expressed his admiration for the party's leadership, which he described as genuinely committed to building both the party and the nation. He highlighted the party's focus on ideas, values, and the quality of individuals seeking political offices. Agada's political ideology proved to be a perfect fit for the YPP's vision, leading to his selection as the party's presidential candidate.

Agada's vision for Nigeria revolves around lean governance, reduced borrowing, 'ward capitalism', and broader economic inclusion. He criticized the country's excessive reliance on foreign borrowing, arguing that Nigeria, with its abundant resources and human capital, should not be dependent on external financing. Agada emphasized the need to interrogate the purpose, conditions, and return on borrowed funds, questioning whether the nation is continuously stealing from its citizens and wasting resources.

Furthermore, Agada criticized the cost of maintaining government institutions, including the Presidential Villa, advocating for lean governance and the consolidation of overlapping responsibilities within ministries, departments, and agencies. He believes that Nigeria must prioritize productive investments over unnecessary government expenditure and that the next generation should not be burdened with additional debts.