OHAFIA, NIGERIA — The Young Progressives Party (YPP) in Abia State is facing a major political realignment as two of its key candidates from the 2023 general elections, Dr. Oge Okpani Ndukwe and Dr. Stephen Ukpia, are reportedly set to dump the party along with their massive supporters, according to party sources and community leaders in the Arochukwu/Ohafia Federal Constituency .
Candidates’ Profiles
Dr. Stephen Ukpia was the YPP candidate for the Arochukwu/Ohafia Federal Constituency in the 2023 House of Representatives election. He contested against candidates from major parties, including Labour Party’s Ibe Okwara-Osonwa, who eventually won the seat.
Dr. Okpani Ndukwe was the YPP candidate for the Ohafia North State Constituency in the 2023 Abia State House of Assembly election.
He is a medical doctor by profession and contested the election at 39 years of age
CDA News Nigeria gathered from the Sources close to the two politicians reveal that the decision to leave the YPP follows extensive consultations with political associates and supporters across the constituency. Both candidates are said to be dissatisfied with the party’s post-2023 election trajectory and its ability to provide a viable platform for future electoral contests .
The YPP had shown some strength in Abia State, winning two local government chairmanship seats (Osisioma and Ugwunagbo) in the November 2024 local government elections. However, the party has struggled to maintain cohesion and momentum following the 2023 general elections .
CDA News Nigeria reports that the departure of Dr. Ukpia and Dr. Okpani, both of whom retain significant grassroots followings from their 2023 campaigns, would be a substantial blow to the YPP’s structure in Abia North. Their exit is expected to further weaken the party’s presence in the Arochukwu/Ohafia Federal Constituency and Ohafia North State Constituency.
Neither candidate has officially announced their next political destination, but political observers speculate they may be heading to either the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) or the African Democratic Congress (ADC), both of which have been actively courting defectors across the South-East ahead of the 2027 general elections .
Reactions
When contacted, Dr. Stephen Ukpia expressed their readiness to dump the party , citing confidence and abilities to move out with their party supporters.
Official statements from Dr. Ukpia and Dr. Okpan are expected in the coming days, where they are likely to announce their next political moves .
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