Fresh tensions have surfaced within the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF) following reports that Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, had been removed as chairman of the group.
The reports sparked speculation of a split among governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, with indications that Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun and Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq were leading a separate bloc within the forum.
Despite the rumours, Uzodimma maintained that he remains the chairman of the PGF, insisting there is no crisis within the group.
The development comes at a sensitive time for the ruling party as political alignments and consultations ahead of the 2027 general elections continue to intensify.
However, in a show of unity, 18 APC governors on Friday passed a vote of confidence in Uzodimma’s leadership after a closed-door meeting held at the Imo Lodge.
Governors from Ondo, Kaduna, Taraba, Sokoto, Ebonyi, Borno, Lagos, Kogi, Kano, Yobe, Kebbi, Benue and Jigawa states attended the meeting, while Nasarawa State was represented by its deputy governor.
Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris, moved the motion for the vote of confidence, reaffirming that Uzodimma remains chairman of the forum, while Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, continues as deputy chairman.
“We don’t have any problem to justify what they have said. I want to seize this opportunity to move a vote of confidence in our chairman and his deputy,” Idris said.
Speaking after the meeting, Uba Sani dismissed reports of division within the forum, describing the claims as unfortunate.
“The APC Progressive Governors’ Forum is very united. We are stronger now than at any other time,” he said.
He added that the governors remain fully committed to supporting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the administration’s policies ahead of the next election cycle.
Uzodimma also rejected reports of internal crisis, saying the governors are united and focused on strengthening the party ahead of the 2027 elections.
“Governors of the All Progressives Congress are united and resolved to support the President and ensure that he emerges successfully in the upcoming elections in January 2027,” he said.
The Imo governor added that the forum would continue to prioritise governance, social intervention programmes and policies aimed at improving the welfare of Nigerians.
