2027: YPP Presidential Aspirant Filani Declares Bid, Slams Tinubu, APC, Vows ‘Ballot Revolution’

By Idowu Adebomi, Ado-Ekiti

A presidential aspirant on the platform of the Young Progressives Party (YPP), Jide Filani, has formally declared his intention to contest the 2027 presidential election, launching a blistering attack on the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), which he accused of failing Nigerians across critical sectors.

Filani made the declaration at the YPP State Secretariat in Ado-Ekiti during a high-level meeting with the party’s State Working Committee and key stakeholders, describing his ambition as a decisive intervention in what he termed Nigeria’s deepening socio-economic and security crisis.

Addressing party leaders and supporters, the aspirant said his decision to enter the race was informed by growing dissatisfaction with the current state of the nation. “Everything is wrong with Nigeria; nothing is working right now—from health to security, education, and agriculture. Nigeria is only moving backward,” Filani declared.

He said his candidacy represents a departure from what he described as failed leadership patterns, promising a governance model anchored on vision, sincerity, and people-centered policies. According to him, both the ruling party and opposition blocs have been unable to offer credible solutions to Nigeria’s challenges.

The Ikole-Ekiti-born politician, who has built significant political influence in Lagos, said his return to Ekiti marked the strategic launch of a grassroots-driven campaign. “If we can believe it, we can achieve it. I am sure we can defeat the incumbent president,” he said. “I need to start from my home front.”

Filani took direct aim at President Tinubu’s administration, particularly over the lingering electricity crisis, which he said contradicts earlier assurances made to Nigerians. “The President said if they do not solve electricity in four years, people should not vote for him, yet the problem persists and he still wants people to vote for him,” he stated.

He also condemned the culture of vote-buying and political inducement, accusing politicians across party lines of undermining democratic values. “I will never buy votes, unlike our politicians who are liars,” Filani said, warning that monetized politics had reduced citizens to “inanimate objects.”

On insecurity, the aspirant alleged that the federal government had lost effective control of the nation’s armed forces. “The President is the Chief and Commander of the Armed Forces, but he has lost command of security. They have rendered our soldiers, navy, and air force ineffective. There is too much mediocrity in the system,” he asserted.

Outlining his policy priorities, Filani identified agriculture, security, job creation, and education as key pillars of his proposed administration. He criticized what he described as misplaced fiscal priorities, questioning high government expenditure amid widespread poverty. “How can a president buy a ₦230 billion jet when about 30 percent of our children are out of school?” he queried.

On education, he pledged to implement compulsory free education nationwide, dismissing concerns over funding constraints. “If billions can be spent on luxury items, then funding education should not be a problem,” he said, adding that he has personally sponsored 89 students over 15 years through his foundation.

Filani further decried the state of Nigeria’s healthcare system, describing it as inadequate and failing vulnerable populations. “Do we have good healthcare? Basically no. Our pregnant women are suffering, and many now rely on traditional herbs sellers, which is unacceptable,” he added.

Speaking on agriculture, he argued that Nigeria’s vast arable land remains underutilized, contributing to unemployment and insecurity. “We have about 84 million hectares of land, and only 30 percent is cultivated. The uncultivated land has become a haven for bandits. If we engage it productively, insecurity will reduce,” he said.

Earlier, Ekiti State YPP Chairman, Comrade Owoola Daramola, described Filani as a credible and dynamic aspirant capable of steering Nigeria out of its current challenges. “We have assessed his capacity and we believe he is the kind of person we need to fly the party’s flag,” Daramola said.

Daramola also criticized the current administration, insisting that Nigerians deserve better leadership. “Tinubu might be good to some people, but for those of us who want the best for this country, he should be relieved of office through the ballot. I have not seen any meaningful change so far,” he added.

In a related remark, Ogun State YPP Chairman, Hon. Adeyemi Solomon, dismissed ethnic narratives in national politics, urging Nigerians to prioritize competence over regional sentiments. “Does suffering recognize tribe? There is no constitutional provision that makes anyone the owner of Nigeria,” he said.

The event concluded with a strong call for what party leaders described as a “ballot revolution,” with Daramola emphasizing that the movement had grown beyond an individual ambition. “This is no longer just his project; it is ours. Like David against Goliath, we are ready to challenge the might of the incumbent with the power of the people,” he concluded.