Bishop Amakiri, national chairman of the Young Progressives Party, has firmly rejected claims that his party is merging with the APC. He made the statement in Abuja while the party's leadership ratified its candidates.
Amakiri dismissed the merger speculation as mere rumor. "To my knowledge, no such discussion has taken place," he told reporters at the event.
He questioned why the YPP would abandon its structure. "What has the APC accomplished that would make this attractive?" he asked pointedly.
No APC official has approached the party with any merger proposal, Amakiri noted. He stressed that the YPP remains focused on its own path forward.
The party chairman acknowledged that Senator Ifeanyi Ubah's death last year affected the YPP significantly. But he rejected the notion that the party had collapsed afterward.
Ubah was a major political force for the party, Amakiri explained. His Senate victory brought substantial visibility and prominence to the YPP.
Yet the party has since consolidated those gains, according to the chairman. It continues to expand its influence across Nigeria's political landscape.
Amakiri stressed an important point: no general election has occurred since Ubah's passing. This makes it premature to judge the party's current strength, he argued.
The YPP remains proud of Ubah's legacy and contributions. "Wherever he is, he'd be proud of his role in our history," Amakiri said.
Looking ahead to 2027, Amakiri expressed confidence in the party's prospects. The YPP will be among Nigeria's parties to watch, he predicted.
The party plans to present a credible candidate for the presidential race. Amakiri said this person will offer Nigerians a genuine alternative option.
He emphasized that the YPP has solid ideas and practical policies. "We can move this country forward," Amakiri asserted.
The chairman directed his focus squarely on the YPP's presidential nominee. "By God's grace, we will nominate the right person," he concluded.
