Young made the pledge on Sunday in Abuja during the inauguration of his campaign council, where he outlined housing, multiple taxation and transportation as the three key areas of his proposed legislative agenda.
He said his first bill at the National Assembly would seek to regulate rent increases, arguing that the rising cost of accommodation was forcing many residents out of their homes.
Citing instances where annual rents had reportedly increased from N800,000 to N3.5 million and from N400,000 to N3 million, Young said some landlords were imposing excessive increases that tenants could no longer afford.
“Young men and young women have been driven out of their houses. Why? Because one landlord increased their rents by 500 per cent,” he said.
Young estimated that 70 per cent of FCT residents were struggling with housing costs. He proposed limiting rent increases to 10 per cent within a three-year period, saying the measure would provide tenants with greater financial certainty.
He said his proposal would differ from other rent-related bills before the House of Representatives, which, according to him, focused largely on tenants’ rights and restrictions on advance rent payments rather than the percentage by which landlords could increase rents.
On taxation, the YPP candidate said he would pursue clearer regulations to prevent businesses from being subjected to multiple charges by different authorities.
He argued that a more predictable tax system would enable business owners to plan their expenses, make informed investment decisions and operate more effectively.
Young also proposed a more organised public bus transportation system in the FCT, with buses operating along designated routes.
According to him, an efficient public transport network would provide commuters with an alternative to private vehicles and help tackle the menace of “one chance” robberies, in which criminals pose as commercial transport operators to rob unsuspecting passengers.
On his campaign structure, Young said the party had established structures across all 22 wards in the AMAC and Bwari area councils, with 12 coordinators in AMAC and 10 in Bwari.
He added that the coordinators had experience from previous elections and would help drive the party’s grassroots mobilisation efforts.
Speaking at the event, YPP presidential candidate, Dr Peter Agada, urged supporters to have confidence in Young’s commitment to the campaign, describing him as a candidate determined to make a difference.
“He wants to make a difference. And he said he’s slow, but he’s definite. Please trust him,” Agada said.
Agada also unveiled a rent-to-own housing proposal contained in his presidential manifesto, arguing that Nigerians should have the opportunity to convert rental payments into eventual home ownership.
“What Nigeria needs now is not people to pay house rents. What we need now is rent to own,” he said.
He explained that under the proposed arrangement, occupants would make payments towards the purchase of the properties they occupied, gradually reducing the outstanding cost until ownership was transferred to them.
Agada further described the YPP as a platform for young Nigerians, saying the party had continued to gain national visibility.
The party’s FCT chairman, Abraham Simeon Adedotun, called on supporters to mobilise behind its candidates, saying the party was relying on personal contributions and grassroots organisation rather than public funds.
He accused established political interests of using financial inducements to attract supporters and urged young Nigerians not to trade their political choices for short-term monetary benefits.
Adedotun also dismissed claims that the All Progressives Congress (APC) would win the FCT in the 2027 elections, insisting that the YPP was strengthening its presence across the territory through ward coordinators and area council structures.
In the AMAC/Bwari Federal Constituency contest, Young is expected to face APC candidate John Shekwogaza Gabaya.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Ahmed Dogara Jacob, was reported to have stepped down in favour of Gabaya in October.
