Ugochukwu Young, a House of Representatives candidate of the Young Progressive Party (YPP) for AMAC/Bwari Federal Constituency of the Federal Capital Territory, says his decision to contest the election is driven by a desire to make a difference in Nigeria’s political system through effective representation and legislative reforms.
Young, who spoke on Wednesday while answering questions from members of the Association of Corporate Online Editors (ACOE) in Abuja on his political ambition and agenda, said he decided to enter politics after gaining a better understanding of the responsibilities of lawmakers, particularly the need for the legislature to effectively scrutinise and check the actions of the executive.
He said he had stayed away from politics for several years because he initially believed it did not concern him, but later realised that political decisions directly affected the lives and future of Nigerians.
According to him, his objective is to bring fresh ideas to the Green Chambers and promote a system where elected representatives remain accountable to the people they represent.
Young, who is from Anambra State and has lived in the Federal Capital Territory for more than 15 years, described himself as a businessman and politician.
He said he studied Electrical/Electronics Engineering and is the Chairman of Ugo Group, with interests spanning hospitality, construction, real estate, automobiles and logistics.
The candidate said one of the central pillars of his agenda would be to ensure that the people have a direct role in determining the priorities of their constituencies.
He proposed quarterly town hall meetings where residents would identify their most pressing needs and participate in determining projects to be pursued through constituency representation.
“My agenda is the people’s agenda,” he said, stressing that elected representatives should not take personal credit for projects funded by government.
Young also listed rent regulation as a major component of his proposed legislative programme, particularly in view of the difficulties he said young Nigerians face with rising accommodation costs.
He said he would pursue legislation and engage other lawmakers on measures aimed at addressing excessive rent increases and related charges.
He also promised to use his foundation to provide pro-bono legal assistance to people facing eviction or disputes arising from tenancy issues.
On security, Young said his team was exploring technology-based solutions to help address the problem of “one-chance” robberies and improve the ability of residents to identify vehicles involved in criminal activities.
He further promised to promote youth participation in politics by creating greater awareness about the political process and encouraging young Nigerians to seek elective positions.
According to him, his agenda would also cover education, healthcare and other community needs, with interventions guided by the priorities identified by constituents.
Young said accountability remained one of the major challenges confronting Nigeria and pledged to maintain direct communication with constituents through physical engagements and digital platforms.
He added that he was entering politics without a political godfather, saying this would allow him to remain focused on what he described as the interests of the people.
The YPP candidate said he would rather leave political office and return to his business if he could not contribute positively to governance than compromise his principles in order to retain power.
