Anita Zugwai-Chukwu has emerged as the sole presidential candidate of the Young Progressives Party (YPP) for the 2027 general elections.

Mrs Zugwai-Chukwu emerged at the party’s national convention held on Saturday in Abuja, attended by party leaders, delegates and supporters from across the country.

Speaking on the sidelines of the convention, the National Chairman of the YPP, Bishop Amakiri, reaffirmed the party’s commitment to its founding principles of service despite political challenges and realignments.

Mr Amakiri said the party had consistently produced credible candidates who had gone on to win elections, adding that the YPP remained focused on promoting competent leaders dedicated to serving the people.

According to him, public office holders elected on the party’s platform have remained faithful to its mantra of “Service to the People”.

He stressed that the slogan remained the party’s intellectual property and should not be appropriated by other political parties.

The chairman said the YPP had produced notable political office holders, including lawmakers and legislative leaders, who had distinguished themselves through effective representation and leadership.

Commenting on the death of former senator Ifeanyi Ubah, Mr Amakiri acknowledged that the loss had significantly affected the party.

“It would be unfair to say that Senator Ifeanyi Ubah’s death did not affect the party. He was a strong force and contributed immensely,” he said.

He, however, rejected suggestions that the party had lost relevance, noting that no general election had been conducted since Mr Ubah’s death.

Mr Amakiri said Mr Ubah’s electoral successes brought national visibility to the YPP and laid the foundation for its growth and recognition.

“If Senator Ubah had not won the election, perhaps many Nigerians would not have known about the Young Progressives Party,” he said.

He added that the party had consolidated on those gains and continued to make inroads into Nigeria’s political landscape.

“We miss him greatly, but we remain focused. Wherever he is, he will be proud of the contributions he made to the party,” Mr Amakiri added.

The chairman said the YPP was intensifying efforts to mobilise like-minded Nigerians and strengthen its structures ahead of the 2027 elections.

He also dismissed speculation that the party might collapse its structure into the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), describing the reports as unfounded.

“To my knowledge, no discussion of that nature has taken place. There is no reason for the YPP to surrender its structure to another party,” he said.

Mr Amakiri questioned the achievements of the APC that would warrant YPP members abandoning their platform to join the ruling party, adding that his focus remained on the party’s presidential candidate and preparations for the polls.

In her acceptance speech, Mrs Zugwai-Chukwu pledged transparent and responsible leadership and called on Nigerians, especially youths and women, to join her movement for justice, security and prosperity.

(NAN)