Aso Villa should not host campaigns, YPP candidate warns Sowore

The Young Progressives Party (YPP) presidential candidate, Dr Peter Agada, has warned the African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, and others against using the Presidential Villa for campaigns. He said Aso Rock is a secure place meant for government work.

Agada criticized how some politicians treat the Villa as a venue for political activities. He believes presidential candidates should show their ability to lead by providing proof of their businesses, workplaces, and homes instead of seeking access to Aso Rock.

He made these statements during a media event in Abuja on Friday.

The former Labour Party member also mentioned the return of Ebola and the country’s security issues. He said these are reasons why the Presidential Villa should not be used for social events.

His comments came after the AAC, led by Sowore, asked President Bola Tinubu for permission to start its Presidential Campaign Council at the Villa ahead of the 2027 general elections.

In a letter dated October 21, the AAC requested the President to allow the use of the facility for a planned event on November 11. They also asked for food, drinks, and other support for attendees.

The party stated its request was based on the principles of multiparty democracy, political inclusion, and equal treatment of different parties. They argued that granting the request would show the Presidency’s commitment to fairness.

In response to this development, Agada said the Villa should not be a place for politicians looking to gain political relevance or jobs through elections.

He said, “Just vacating the Villa office for politicians is not enough. We must ask: Where were their contact offices before they wanted the Villa job? I support Sowore’s call and I agree with him that the Presidential Villa has become an unemployment place for failed politicians.

“But I’m saying that the Presidential Villa is a highly respected place for the Presidency and should not be used for social gatherings. It is a high-security area that should be cordoned off for government activities, especially in the resurgence of the Ebola virus.

“The true test of a Presidential candidate is not the use of Aso Villa; it is his current office. Any man who wants to rule 200 million Nigerians must show us, first of all, your current office where you work. We are talking about your real office that pays a salary, not a rented campaign office or hotel, and your residence.

“If you cannot show your current office and residence, it means you have no job. You are unemployed. Aso Villa is your only job application each election year.”

The YPP candidate said he has shown his ability through his engineering business, which he claims has a history of delivering projects and creating jobs.

Agada noted that his company, Cyrus Acoustics Group Limited, has 30 years of experience in road and estate construction, employing 47 staff members.

He emphasized that his home in Abuja was built from the profits of his engineering business, not from politics.

The politician added that his party will kick off its presidential campaign from its construction site instead of a hotel or the Presidential Villa. He challenged other candidates to do the same.

He said, “My flag-off for the YPP Presidential Campaign will be done from my construction yard, not from Sheraton or Villa. My press conference will be done from my site office with a helmet on the table.

“I challenge other candidates to do the same. Show us your office. Show us where you work today.”

According to him, the Presidency should be seen as a place for governance, not for political entertainment. He also mentioned he plans to run a smaller government if elected.

He said, “I have said it time and again, I shall run a lean government. And I will use the Villa as a temporary site office for four years to build Nigeria, then return to my engineering office. Aso Villa is not a reward for unemployment. Any candidate who has no office today has no business looking for Villa tomorrow.