Architect, labour advocate and presidential aspirant, Arc. Dr. Peter Agada, on Monday formally launched his campaign for Nigeria's 2027 presidential election under the platform of the Young Progressives Party (YPP), unveiling an ambitious governance blueprint aimed at transforming the country's political, economic and institutional landscape.
Speaking at a World Press Conference in Abuja attended by political stakeholders, labour leaders, civil society organizations and members of The Movement Nigeria (TMN), Agada outlined a broad vision that combines political reform, labour-centred economic planning, technological innovation and citizen-driven governance.
The event also witnessed the unveiling of LabourDirect.com, the proposed Labour Institute of Nigeria, and a nationwide solidarity campaign for kidnapped schoolchildren, teachers and other victims of insecurity.
Presenting his case for the presidency, Agada said Nigeria was in urgent need of purposeful leadership capable of harnessing the nation's enormous potential.
According to him, his decision to seek the country's highest office was encouraged by widespread support from Nigerians across ethnic, religious and professional backgrounds.
"TMN is a nationwide congress of patriotic Nigerians, civil society groups and peer leaders from every walk of life. Membership of TMN cuts across tribes, religions, professions and the labour unions of Nigeria," he said.
Describing the movement as a national coalition of reform-minded citizens, Agada noted that its members believe Nigeria can achieve far greater progress under visionary leadership.
"These broad-based groups spread across entire Nigeria believe in me as a man whose time has come to invest his enormous accomplishments, decisive leadership strength, energies and steel of a youthful paragon into the race for the President of Nigeria," he declared.
The YPP presidential hopeful stated that he possesses the competence, experience and determination required to reposition Nigeria.
"I have more than what it takes to fix our country and stun the world with the brand new story of a brand new Nigeria," he told the gathering.
Labour-Based Development Framework
A major highlight of the conference was the unveiling of LabourDirect.com, a digital governance platform designed to integrate planning, budgeting and infrastructure development across all sectors of the Nigerian economy.
Agada described the initiative as a practical mechanism for translating policy promises into measurable development outcomes.
According to him, LabourDirect.com is "a ready-made, cross-sector digital platform which translates labour ideology to tangible development expectations and policy manifestos to manifestation of concrete, people-serving socio-economic end goals."
He explained that the platform would integrate policy, budgeting and infrastructure planning for all 23 sectors of the economy under a unified national development framework.
Political observers at the event described the initiative as one of the most detailed governance concepts unveiled by any aspirant ahead of the 2027 election cycle.
Labour Institute Proposed
Agada also disclosed plans for the establishment of a Labour Institute of Nigeria in partnership with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC).
He explained that the institution would function as a non-partisan centre for policy research, leadership development and ideological orientation.
"The Labour Institute shall provide an ideological baseline similar to the Republican Institute of the Republican Party and the Democratic Institute of the Democratic Party of the United States of America," he said.
According to him, the proposed institution would help develop future leaders, strengthen democratic participation and support evidence-based policy formulation.
He noted that discussions regarding the institute were already being proposed to the leadership of both labour centres.
Agada Explains Exit From Labour Party
While focusing largely on his future plans, Agada also addressed the circumstances that led to his departure from the Labour Party.
He disclosed that he had initially sought the party's presidential ticket after receiving assurances that all aspirants would be given equal opportunity to contest.
According to him, supporters under The Movement Nigeria contributed millions of naira to support his presidential ambition.
He said he purchased the party's presidential nomination forms, underwent screening and commenced nationwide campaign activities after receiving what he described as a successful assessment from party officials.
However, he alleged that his presidential aspiration suffered an unexpected setback when the party informed him of his disqualification shortly before its presidential primary election.
"All of these expenses went down only for the Labour Party to suddenly wake up from a memory loss on May 28, 2026, only one day to its presidential primary, to send a letter to me stating that they had disqualified me from the presidential ticket because I was from the Middle Belt of Nigeria," he said.
Agada argued that the reason given for the disqualification contradicted the findings of the party's own screening committee.
"They claimed that the presidential ticket of the party had been zoned to the South, which was of course a brazen cruel lie," he alleged.
The presidential hopeful said his decision to join the Young Progressives Party was based on his belief that the party's values align more closely with his commitment to justice, inclusion and transparent leadership.
"I am delighted to inform you that I have now found all these qualities in the Young Progressives Party," he stated.
Legal Action Looms
Agada further revealed that TMN had commenced legal proceedings against the Labour Party over financial contributions allegedly lost during the aborted presidential bid.
He said the movement's leadership considered it necessary to pursue legal remedies in order to protect the interests of its members and supporters.
"The board of trustees and leadership of TMN nationwide has determined to leave no stone unturned in lawful efforts to recover their collectively contributed funds from the Labour Party," he said.
He added that court processes had already been filed.
"To this end, court proceedings bordering on fraud and obtaining under false pretence has been served today at the instance of TMN on the Labour Party and the party's felony confederates."
Raises Alarm Over Insecurity
Beyond politics, Agada devoted a significant part of his address to the worsening insecurity situation in parts of the country.
He expressed concern over the continued captivity of schoolchildren, teachers and other citizens reportedly abducted by terrorists and bandits.
"It is saddening that since May 15, 2026, 46 Nigerians involving tender school children and their teachers, including a 19-month-old baby, little Christiana Akanbi, have been kidnapped by terrorists," he lamented.
According to him, many of the victims continue to endure harsh conditions in captivity while their families await their return.
"It is sickening that since then to date these innocent Nigerians have been sleeping in the jungle bush under the rains at night and hoping against hope of rescue."
To draw national attention to their plight, he announced that The Movement Nigeria would hold a candlelight vigil in Oyo State on June 10.
The event, he said, would serve as a platform for citizens to demand stronger efforts toward the rescue of abducted persons not only in Oyo State but also in Niger, Kwara, Borno and other affected parts of the country.
Call for National Unity
Concluding his address, Agada called for greater collaboration among political parties, labour organizations, civil society groups and ordinary Nigerians in addressing the country's challenges.
He thanked the Nigeria Labour Congress, the Trade Union Congress, the Young Progressives Party and other stakeholders for supporting the humanitarian initiative on behalf of kidnapped Nigerians.
With his formal declaration now made and his campaign machinery officially unveiled, Agada has become one of the earliest major contenders to publicly signal his intention to contest the 2027 presidential election, setting the stage for what promises to be an intense political contest in the years ahead.
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