By Prosper Okoye
Dr Ugo Young Atakulu has emerged as the candidate of the Young Progressives Party (YPP), for the 2027 House of Representatives election in the Abuja Municipal/Bwari Federal Constituency, through a consensus on Thursday.
His emergence came during the party’s primary exercise in Abuja, where officials said Atakulu was returned unopposed after the screening and accreditation of delegates.
Speaking after his emergence, Atakulu said he joined the YPP because he believed young Nigerians must take greater responsibility for the country’s future. “The future of Nigeria is in the hands of the youth. The only way we can make a change is when we start from the roots because that is where the problem is,” he said.
The aspirant dismissed suggestions that the YPP lacked electoral strength, insisting that the party had established itself as a growing political force. “People think the YPP is not as big a party as other parties, but they are wrong. If you check the records, YPP was number three in the last general elections,” he said.
According to Atakulu, his campaign would focus on grassroots engagement and what he described as “urban democracy”, where constituents would regularly determine legislative priorities through consultations and voting. “I intend to meet with my people every quarter and they will tell me exactly what their needs are. I will not push my personal agenda; the people will decide what should be done for them.”
He also identified insecurity as one of Nigeria’s biggest challenges and advocates stronger community-based security structures alongside ongoing debates around state policing. “I would talk about security for every street and every community, where people are responsible for their own security. I think that helps to reduce insecurity,” he reassured
Furthermore, Atakulu declined to endorse claims that the National Assembly merely carried out the wishes of the executive arm of government.“That is hearsay. I do not know for a fact that the president instructs lawmakers on what to do, so I cannot speak on it,” he concluded.
The YPP candidate also rejected suggestions that he was backed by political godfathers.
“Absolutely not. I am running to serve the people. I do not owe any obligation to anybody,” he said.
Speaking separately, YPP chairman in the Federal Capital Territory, Abraham Simon Adedotun, expressed confidence in the party’s prospects but raised concerns about alleged political interference in elections within the territory. Adedotun, who also served as Returning Officer for the primary, said the party complied with guidelines set by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) during the exercise. “As you can see, we are undergoing the proper process and procedures and the guidelines of the Independent National Electoral Commission,” he observed. He explained that Atakulu emerged through consensus because he was the sole aspirant for the seat, adding that time constraints in the electoral timetable limited the number of interested contestants. “The time is so limited. INEC did not give us enough time for people to show interest and pick their tickets,” he said.
The Abuja Municipal/Bwari Federal Constituency seat is currently occupied by Hon. Chinedu Obika, who was elected on the platform of the Labour Party before defecting to the APC.
