2027: Dr Young Vows To Regulate House Rents In Abuja

Dr Young made the pledge on Sunday in Abuja at the inauguration of his campaign council for the 2027 House of Representatives election.

Addressing supporters, party leaders and ward coordinators, Dr Young said his legislative agenda would focus on three major issues affecting residents of the FCT – housing, multiple taxation and public transportation.

He said his first bill at the National Assembly would be a bill to regulate rent increases in the Federal Capital Territory, arguing that arbitrary rent increments were making it difficult for residents to keep their homes.

According to him, annual rents in parts of Abuja have reportedly increased from N800,000 to N3.5 million and from N400,000 to N3 million within a short period, forcing many tenants out of their apartments.

” Young men and young women have been driven out of their houses. Why? Because one landlord increased their rents by 500 per cent, ” Dr Young said.

He disclosed that about 70 per cent of residents in the FCT are struggling with housing costs, adding that urgent legislative intervention was needed to protect tenants.

Dr Young proposed a rent control framework that would limit rent adjustments to a maximum of 10 per cent over a three-year period. He said such regulation would give tenants certainty and allow them to plan their finances without fear of sudden eviction.

He explained that his proposal differs from other rent-related bills currently before the House of Representatives, which focus mainly on tenancy rights and advance rent payments. His own bill, he said, would directly address the percentage by which landlords can increase rents.

On taxation, Dr Young said he would push for clearer and harmonized tax rules to prevent businesses in the FCT from facing multiple charges from different agencies.

He argued that predictable tax obligations would help small businesses plan their operating costs and make long-term investment decisions, thereby improving the business environment in Abuja.

The YPP candidate also unveiled plans to reform public transportation in the FCT through a more organized public bus system operating along designated routes.

He said a structured bus system would give commuters a reliable alternative to private vehicles and help address the menace of ” one chance ” robberies, where criminals pose as commercial transport operators to rob passengers.

According to him, improved public transportation would reduce transport costs and enhance security for residents commuting within the territory.

Dr Young said his campaign has established structures in all 22 wards across AMAC and Bwari Area Councils, with 12 coordinators in AMAC and 10 in Bwari, adding that the coordinators have experience from previous elections and are already mobilizing at grassroots level.

He said the ward coordinators would drive door-to-door campaigns and voter education ahead of the 2027 polls.

YPP Presidential Candidate Backs Young

Speaking at the event, YPP presidential candidate, Dr Peter Agada, urged supporters to trust Dr Young’s commitment to service, describing him as determined and consistent.

” He wants to make a difference. And he said he’s slow, but he’s definite. Please trust him, ” Agada said.

Dr Agada also introduced a rent-to-own housing proposal from his presidential manifesto, arguing that tenants should be able to channel their rental payments towards eventual ownership of the properties they occupy.

” What Nigeria needs now is not people to pay house rents. What we need now is rent to own, ” he said, explaining that the model would allow occupants to gradually pay off the cost of the house until ownership is transferred.

He described YPP as a platform for young Nigerians and said the party has gained national visibility ahead of 2027.

Party Chairman Rallies Support

The FCT Chairman of YPP, Abraham Simeon Adedotun, called on supporters to mobilize behind the party’s candidates, saying YPP was relying on personal resources and grassroots organization rather than public funds.

He urged young Nigerians not to exchange their political choices for short-term financial inducements and accused established political interests of using money to attract supporters.

Adedotun also dismissed claims that the All Progressives Congress (APC) would secure the FCT in the 2027 elections, saying YPP was organizing across the territory through its ward coordinators and area council structures.

In the AMAC/Bwari race, Dr Young is expected to face APC candidate John Shekwogaza Gabaya. The PDP candidate, Ahmed Dogara Jacob, was reported to have stepped down in Gabaya’s favour in October.