Confusion in APC governors’ forum over alleged leadership shake-up

There is confusion within the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF) following media reports that Peter Mbah, governor of Enugu state, has emerged as the new chairman of the body.

The reports claimed Mbah succeeded Hope Uzodimma, governor of Imo state, after an extraordinary meeting of governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), held in Abuja on Thursday night.

Multiple sources said about 20 governors attended the closed-door meeting, including those from Ogun, Bayelsa, and Enugu states.

Governors said to have voted against Uzodimma include those from Adamawa, Zamfara, Delta, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Rivers, Bayelsa, Niger, Kwara, Plateau, Enugu, Ogun, and Katsina states.

According to the sources, Uzodimma was backed by governors of Yobe, Lagos, Gombe, Kogi, Edo, Ekiti, Ondo, Sokoto, Jigawa, Taraba, Ebonyi, Benue, Kano, Kebbi, Nasarawa and Kaduna states.

The development was said to have occurred hours after Uzodimma spoke on behalf of APC governors during the submission of President Bola Tinubu’s presidential nomination and expression of interest forms in Abuja.

Sources familiar with the development also claimed that the PGF had split into two factions, with one bloc backing Mbah as chairman.

The sources said governors aligned with Uzodimma were holding a separate closed-door meeting.

Governors said to be in Uzodimma’s camp include those from Borno, Yobe, Kebbi, Kano, Ebonyi, Edo, Benue, Kogi, Nasarawa, Ondo and Taraba states.

However, in a statement issued on Thursday night, the PGF denied reports that Uzodimma had been removed as chairman of the forum.

“The attention of the Progressive Governors’ Forum has been drawn to a false and misleading report circulating in some media platforms alleging the removal of its Chairman, His Excellency Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma, CON,” the statement reads.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the Progressive Governors Forum states categorically that the report is entirely false, baseless, and without an iota of truth.

“No meeting of the forum was held at which any such decision was taken. The PGF Secretariat has no record of, and is not aware of, any resolution removing the chairman.

“His Excellency, Senator Hope Uzodimma, CON, remains the chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum.”

The statement signed by Folorunso Aluko, director-general of the forum, asked members of the public and party faithful to disregard the reports.

“The Forum remains united, focused, and committed to its responsibilities,” the statement added.

“The media are therefore advised to disregard the said report in its entirety.”

When contacted by TheCable, one of Mbah’s aides, who asked not to be named, said he was unaware of any development regarding the alleged appointment.

“I heard the news in the media too. I don’t know anything about it. My principal is in Abuja, and I am in Enugu,” the aide said. (TheCable)