The Young Progressives Party (YPP) has expelled the lawmaker representing Nnewi North, Nnewi South, and Ekwusigo Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Peter Uzokwe, over alleged anti-party activities and gross misconduct.
Martins Egbeola, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, announced his expulsion on Monday after the National Working Committee held an emergency meeting at the YPP National Secretariat in Abuja.
The decision occurred after a viral video surfaced online showing the lawmaker openly supporting the All Progressives Grand Alliance and Governor Chukwuma Soludo ahead of Anambra State’s governorship election on November 8.
In the video, Uzokwe said, “YPP is not contesting any election. Did you hear me? I am the leader of YPP, and my supporters are here. In my constituency, I have told them to collapse it for His Excellency Chukwuma Soludo.
“We are not contesting any election. Even if we contest any, it has to be for Anambra North. So, YPP is not contesting. Only APGA and Soludo are running for this election. I will be home till after the election when His Excellency (Soludo) is returned to office.”
However, the YPP leadership slammed the lawmaker’s statement as inaccurate, deceptive, and an intentional effort of sabotage against the party.
Egbeola said, “The National Working Committee ratified the immediate expulsion of Hon. Peter Uzokwe, member representing Nnewi North, Nnewi South, and Ekwusigo Federal Constituency, for gross misconduct in contravention of the party’s constitution on Offences and Sanctions in Section 36(7), Article (b, f & o), page 68, after several petitions and video evidence of anti-party activities.”
He also refuted Uzokwe’s claim of being the YPP leader, clarifying that the position became vacant following the death of its late national leader, Senator Ifeanyi Ubah.
“The Party categorically refutes his false claim of being the leader of the YPP. At no time did the Party ratify or appoint him as its leader following the vacation of this position by the late Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Ubah.
“Uzokwe’s recent appearance at an APGA rally, where he falsely declared that YPP has no candidate in the forthcoming Anambra State Governorship Election, is not only misleading but also an act of desperation by a man whose political relevance has waned,” the statement read.
Therefore, the NWC described his conduct as “gross indiscipline and a deliberate attempt to deceive the public,” urging members and supporters to disregard Uzokwe’s comments and remain loyal to the party.
Founded in 2017, the YPP rose to prominence with the election of Senator Ifeanyi Ubah as its first significant officeholder in 2019.
Following Ubah’s death earlier this year, the party has struggled to maintain its presence in Anambra politics, resulting in a leadership vacuum and internal bickering within the state chapter.
Uzokwe’s expulsion is the first serious disciplinary action taken by the party since the issue erupted ahead of the November 8 Anambra governorship election, in which the YPP is fielding a candidate to face Anambra State’s incumbent governor Chukwuma Soludo.
