By Desire Uzochukwu
The Young Progressives Party (YPP) Vice-Presidential Candidate, Patience Ndidi Key, has cautioned opposition politicians against forming a coalition solely to unseat President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general election, saying Nigerians must not be subjected to another disappointing political transition.
Key said although defeating Tinubu and Vice-President Kashim Shettima through the ballot remained a legitimate democratic objective, opposition parties must first agree on a clear programme of governance and demonstrate how their proposed administration would address the country’s challenges.
In a press statement, the YPP candidate, who is running alongside its presidential candidate, Arch. Peter Agada, said she supported political cooperation based on shared principles and national interest rather than personal ambitions.
She challenged prominent opposition figures, including Atiku Abubakar, Rotimi Amaechi, Peter Obi, Rabiu Kwankwaso, Adewole Adebayo, Usman Bugaje, Seyi Makinde and Omoyele Sowore, to make their records in public office available for scrutiny before pursuing a common political platform.
“Anyone who has served as vice president, governor, minister or legislator must account for that record. What improved? Which institutions became stronger? How were public resources managed?” she asked.
Key cited the 2015 change of government, which saw former President Goodluck Jonathan lose re-election to Muhammadu Buhari, as a reminder that removing an incumbent does not automatically translate into improved governance.
“The lesson of 2015 remains important. Removing President Goodluck Jonathan and electing Muhammadu Buhari did not, in my assessment, deliver the transformation Nigerians expected,” she said.
She maintained that widespread dissatisfaction with an incumbent administration was not enough to justify a political transition without a credible alternative.
“Anger can explain why people want change; it cannot explain how the next administration will deliver it,” she cautioned.
The YPP candidate said any opposition coalition seeking the confidence of Nigerians must be anchored on a written governance agreement addressing insecurity, poverty, unemployment, corruption, healthcare, education, teachers’ welfare, electricity and infrastructure.
According to her, the agreement must also outline funding arrangements, implementation responsibilities, timelines and measurable targets, alongside a transparent process for selecting a common presidential candidate.
Reaffirming her commitment to the Agada–Key ticket and LabourDirect, the presidential candidate’s agenda, Key said the YPP remained open to discussions with political parties and individuals genuinely interested in building a better government.
“I do not support exchanging our commitments for positions or joining an alliance whose sole purpose is installing another set of familiar faces,” she declared.
She, however, clarified that her position did not amount to an announcement of a concluded coalition, stressing that any formal political arrangement must follow the party’s authorised processes.
Key urged Nigerians to look beyond prominent political figures in emerging alliances and demand competence, credible programmes and accountability from all candidates, including the YPP ticket.
“Our objective must be greater than defeating a president: it must be delivering a government worthy of the Nigerian people,” she said.
