The Young Progressives Party (YPP) presidential candidate, Dr Peter Agada, has warned politicians against using the Presidential Villa for political campaigns, describing Aso Rock as a high-security facility that should be reserved for government activities.
Agada, a former Labour Party chieftain, said presidential candidates should demonstrate their capacity to govern by showcasing their businesses, workplaces and residences rather than seeking access to the Villa for political activities.
He made the remarks at a media parley in Abuja on Friday, citing the resurgence of Ebola and Nigeria’s security challenges as additional reasons the facility should not host social gatherings.
His comments followed a request by the African Action Congress (AAC), led by its presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, to President Bola Tinubu for permission to inaugurate its Presidential Campaign Council at the Villa ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a letter dated October 21, the party asked the President to approve the use of the facility for its proposed November 11 event and provide food, drinks and other logistical support for participants.
The AAC said the request was based on the principles of multiparty democracy, political inclusiveness and equal treatment of political parties, arguing that approval would demonstrate the Presidency’s commitment to fairness.
Reacting to the development, Agada said the Villa should not become a destination for politicians seeking relevance or employment through elective office.
“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,” he said.
The YPP candidate argued that the ability to govern should be assessed through a candidate’s existing professional and business engagements rather than access to the seat of power.
“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,” he said.
Agada cited his engineering business, Cyrus Acoustics Group Limited, as evidence of his capacity to lead, saying the company had 30 years of experience in road and estate construction and employed 47 people.
He also said his residence in Abuja was built with proceeds from his engineering business rather than political earnings.
The politician added that the YPP would flag off its presidential campaign at its construction yard instead of a hotel or the Presidential Villa, challenging other candidates to follow suit.
“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,” he said.
Agada maintained that the Presidency should be treated as an institution of governance rather than a venue for political entertainment, reiterating his plan to run a lean government if elected.
“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,” he said.
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