The New Nigerian People’s Party (NNPP) governorship candidate for Ekiti State, Mr. Blessing Abegunde, has positioned himself as the sole legitimate and youth-anointed choice for the June 2026 election.
Speaking exclusively on Adamimogo 105.1FM’s “Inside Scoop,” the entrepreneur and youth leader, who emerged unopposed in the party’s primary, didn’t just outline his platform, he issued a direct challenge to the political establishment.
When asked to differentiate himself in a field dominated by older, more established parties, Abegunde was unequivocal: “I am the youngest. Not one of the youngest, the youngest.” He argued that Nigeria’s current hardships, from fuel subsidy removal to new tax policies are symptoms of a disconnected leadership.
“People are suffering. Businesses are going home… the hardship is getting more, more, more,” he stated, responding to questions about the national economy. While acknowledging government assurances that new taxes target the wealthy, he questioned the value of earnings in a strained economy. “They make N800,000 a month, but what is the value?” he asked, highlighting the spiraling cost of living.
Abegunde expressed supreme confidence in his electoral chances, citing legal troubles he believes cripple his main rivals. He pointed to ongoing court cases involving the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and a stunning claim by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that its signature was forged during the primary of another major party.
“I am the only satisfied candidate. Certified, right? Legally going into the election,” he declared to the host. “I am telling you this boldly.” He dismissed swirling rumors that his NNPP structure might collapse into the APC before the polls as baseless, countering, “It is expected for the ruling party to lose their structure to us.”
The candidate rooted his appeal in a generational shift. Citing a Yoruba proverb about the differing perspectives of the old and the young, he flipped its meaning for the digital age. “What the young will see now… is far more [than what they see] because it’s a highly digitized age,” he argued. He contended that only a youth-driven government can prioritize the technological investments that propel advanced nations, promising a visible, project-focused administration.
When pressed on his party’s relatively low profile in Ekiti, he pointed to the precedent set by President Ayodele Fayose, who won the governorship without prior electoral experience. “Winning a councillor seat first is not a prerequisite,” he asserted.
Abegunde stressed that Ekiti’s youth are not just asking for a seat at the table; they are declaring it’s their turn to lead.
The electorate will deliver its verdict on June 20, 2026.
