Progressive Forum: Uzodinma survives as 18 APC Govs pass vote of confidence

By Jude Opara

The Chairman of the Progressives Forum (PGF) and governor of Imo state, Sen. Hope Uzodimma on Friday overturned his removal as the Chairman of the umbrella body of governors elected on the platform of the ruling party.

This was achieved after 18 members of the PGF at a meeting in Abuja passed a vote of confidence on the embattled Uzodimma by dismissing his alleged removal which trended on Thursday.

The report of Uzodimma’s removal gained currency as it was also heard that he was replaced by Enugu state Governor, Peter Ndubuisi Mbah.

Governor Mbah’s purported emergence had been seen in some quarters as a major political development within the APC as the party continues with consultations and strategic alignments ahead of the 2027 elections.

Addressing newsmen after a close-door meeting held at the Imo Lodge in Abuja on Friday, the governors who attended the meeting reaffirmed their support for Uzodimma’s leadership and distanced themselves from the rumoured leadership change.

The governors that were present at the meeting included those of: Ondo, Kaduna, Taraba, Sokoto, Ebonyi, Borno, Lagos, Kogi, Kano, Yobe, Kebbi, Benue and Jigawa states, while Nasarawa state was represented by the deputy governor.

Governor Nasir Idris of Kebbi state who moved the motion for the vote of confidence, declared that Governor Uzodimma and Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, remained the chairman and deputy chairman of the forum respectively.

“We don’t have any problem to justify what they have said. So, I want to use this opportunity to move a vote of confidence on our chairman and his deputy,” Idris stated.

Also speaking, Governor Uba Sani described reports of disunity within the forum as unfortunate and misleading.

“What I can say here is that all of us woke up to that very unfortunate story which was virtually in all the media in Nigeria. But the truth of the matter is that the APC Progressive Governors Forum is very united.

“We are stronger now than at any other time. And, of course, we are all supporting our President for what he has been doing.

“We also want to assure everyone that the APC is united, governors are united, the forum is united and there is no problem at all,” he said.

Dismissing speculation of disunity within the APC, Governor Uzodimma said the party remained focused and committed to the forthcoming primaries and the re-election of President Bola Tinubu in 2027.

“Governors of the Progressive Congress are all united and resolved to support Mr. President and to ensure that he comes out successfully during the upcoming elections in January 2027.

“So, we have decided to work harder, look after our people, show performance and provide all the necessary social interventions that will make Nigerians happy. That is, in fact, the resolution we arrived at this afternoon,” Uzodinma added.