By Prosper Okoye
Dr Ugo Young Atakulu has emerged as the Young Progressives Party (YPP) candidate for the 2027 House of Representatives election in the Abuja Municipal/Bwari Federal Constituency following a consensus arrangement by the party on Thursday.
The 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 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.
Atakulu said 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 said.
He also identified insecurity as one of Nigeria’s biggest challenges and advocated 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 said.
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 said.
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 said.
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.
Adedotun alleged that FCT Minister Nyesom Wike interfered in previous area council elections in Abuja, claiming the polls were neither free nor fair.
“The FCT Minister definitely intervened with the election and there was no free and fair election,” he alleged.
He further accused security personnel of using tear gas to disrupt voting processes and enable ballot box snatching during previous elections, though he did not provide evidence for the claims.
“The election was rigged and APC took over the election,” he said.
Adedotun also criticised the judiciary, saying opposition parties had little confidence in the courts resolving electoral disputes.
“We do not think when you go there you can get justice, you are only going to waste your time, spend your money and no result will come out,” he said.
There was no immediate response from the office of the FCT minister or the APC regarding the allegations.
The Abuja Municipal/Bwari Federal Constituency seat is currently represented by Chinedu Obika, who was elected on the platform of the Labour Party before defecting to the APC.
