By Adeyemi Adeleye
A presidential aspirant of the Young Progressives Party (YPP), Julius Filani, has announced his withdrawal from the party’s replacement presidential primary ahead of the 2027 elections.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that INEC has given political parties a window to substitute their presidential candidates.
Filani, a member of the YPP Board of Trustees (BoT) and one of the party’s frontline aspirant for the party’s presidential ticket disclosed this in a statement on Friday.
Taking advantage of the window, Filani said his decision was driven by his commitment to the growth, unity and stability of the party, as well as the logistical realities associated with conducting a nationwide direct primary.
Filani said: “This historic, strategic decision is born out of profound respect for the party’s institutional growth, systemic stability, and the immense logistical realities of the current political landscape.
“Leadership is never about a position, a seat, or a title.
“True leadership is defined by the willingness to make personal sacrifices for the greater good of the collective.”
He said the decision was not a withdrawal from politics or the YPP, but a deliberate sacrifice aimed at strengthening the party and ensuring that it remained united and focused ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The aspirant noted that the YPP, as a young, rapidly growing and grassroots-oriented political movement, remained committed to democratic transparency and internal participation.
He, however, said conducting a nationwide direct primary across 8,809 wards and 774 Local Government Areas would impose enormous human, financial and logistical demands on the party.
He said after carefully considering the operational realities confronting the party, he had decided to put the collective interest of the YPP above his personal presidential ambition.
Filani said his decision would provide the opportunity for another qualified aspirant to emerge as the party’s presidential candidate, while preserving the unity and organisational strength required for the 2027 elections.
He said, “I have chosen to step aside because the survival and success of the party’s vision must outweigh individual aspirations.”
According to him, his decision does not amount to an abandonment of his political vision or commitment to providing solutions to the country’s challenges.
“While I possess a genuine, meticulously designed and transformative blueprint to rescue and revitalise our nation, I refuse to allow internal logistical bottlenecks to compromise the party’s overarching trajectory,” he said.
Filani said he would remain firmly committed to the YPP and continue to support its national leadership, structures and eventual presidential flag bearer.
“This transition does not signal a retreat, but rather a strategic reallocation of energy,” he said.
He added that he would continue to contribute to the party’s development and national political objectives.
He said his commitment to humanitarian activities and grassroots empowerment would also continue, stressing that positive impact on the lives of Nigerians did not require holding political office.
“From coast to coast, I remain deeply committed to uplifting everyday citizens, driving grassroots empowerment and proving that one does not need an official office to impact human lives positively,” Filani said.
He expressed confidence that the YPP would emerge stronger from the process and urged party members and stakeholders to remain united and focused on the broader objective of national development. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
AYO/KOO
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Edited by Kevin Okunzuwa