By Luminous Jannamike
The Young Progressives Party, YPP, has said it could not find another suitably qualified woman to replace its former presidential candidate, Mrs Anita Zugwai Chukwu, after she withdrew from the 2027 presidential race.
The party said Chukwu stepped down after her family raised concerns over the security situation in parts of the country and the extensive travelling and public exposure that would come with the presidential campaign.
In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Egbeola Wale Martins, on Monday, the party said Dr Peter Agada was subsequently chosen at a Special Presidential Substitution Primary held on Friday, August 21.
“Following her withdrawal, the Party explored every available option to fill the Presidential vacancy with another suitably qualified female aspirant. Unfortunately, all efforts in this regard proved abortive,” the YPP said.
The party said Chukwu, who emerged from its May 30 presidential primary, formally notified the leadership of her decision in a letter dated August 12, following consultations with members of her immediate and extended family.
Rejecting suggestions that she was pressured to quit, the YPP said: “The YPP wishes to state categorically that Mrs. Anita Zugwai Chukwu’s decision was freely and voluntarily taken. There was no coercion, intimidation, pressure or undue influence from the Party or any individual.”
The party said it remained proud of Chukwu and appreciated her courage, sacrifice and commitment to its progressive ideals, stressing that Agada’s emergence did not diminish her contribution.
It also rejected suggestions that the failure to replace Chukwu with another woman amounted to discrimination, insisting that its commitment to equal opportunity remained firm.
“We do not discriminate against anyone on the basis of gender, age, disability or any other status,” the party said.
The YPP urged the public and the media to disregard rumours about Chukwu’s withdrawal, saying it remained focused and united ahead of the 2027 general election.
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