The Young Progressive Party (YPP) candidate for AMAC/Bwari Federal Constituency of the Federal Capital Territory in the House of Representatives, Ugochukwu Young, says he is seeking election to the National Assembly to promote accountability, effective legislative oversight, and greater participation of young people in politics.
Ugochukwu stated this on Wednesday during an interaction with members of the Association of Corporate Online Editors (ACOE) in their secretariat, at EFAB Mall Extension, Area 11, Garki Abuja, where he outlined his motivation for joining politics and his proposed agenda if elected into the Green Chamber.
He said his decision to contest was driven by his understanding of the constitutional role of the legislature and the need for lawmakers to effectively scrutinise the executive arm of government.
According to him, the legislature should not merely accept proposals presented by the executive but should exercise its oversight responsibilities in the interest of citizens.
Ugochukwu said he had previously considered politics as something that did not concern him, but later realised that citizens who remained disengaged could leave future generations to bear the consequences of poor governance.
“I will do my possible best to get into the Green Chamber and make those necessary changes,” he said.
The candidate identified accountability as one of Nigeria’s major governance challenges, arguing that public officials should be held responsible for their actions and decisions while in office.
He said his approach would also focus on making government more accessible to citizens and ensuring that constituency projects reflect the actual needs of the people.
Ugochukwu said he would organise quarterly town hall meetings where constituents would identify and prioritise their most pressing needs.
He explained that rather than imposing projects on communities, residents would participate in determining which interventions should receive priority.
“My agenda is the people’s agenda. I will not push anything on my own,” he said.
On housing, the YPP candidate said he would seek to sponsor legislation aimed at regulating rent increases in the FCT, particularly in view of the difficulties faced by young people and other residents.
He also promised that his foundation would provide pro-bono legal assistance to residents facing disputes arising from excessive rent increases or eviction.
Ugochukwu said his agenda would further cover youth inclusion and empowerment, adding that he would promote awareness programmes to encourage more young Nigerians to participate in politics and seek elective positions.
He also identified insecurity, particularly the “one-chance” robbery menace, as an issue requiring attention. He said his team was exploring technological solutions that could assist residents in identifying and tracking vehicles.
The candidate pledged to support interventions in public healthcare and education, while stressing that lawmakers should not take personal credit for projects funded through government constituency allocations.
He said elected representatives should remain accessible to the people throughout their tenure.
Ugochukwu, who said he was from Anambra State and had lived in the FCT for more than 15 years, described himself as a businessman with interests in hospitality, construction, real estate, automobiles and logistics.
On his political philosophy, Ugochukwu said he did not have a political godfather and would remain accountable to the electorate if elected.
He also said he would not cling to political office merely for the purpose of retaining power, stressing that elected representatives should be prepared to leave office when they could no longer effectively serve the people.
Ugochukwu urged voters to consider a different approach to political representation, saying his objective was to use the legislative platform to contribute to changes that would benefit constituents and the country.
