Governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress have dismissed reports of a leadership change in the Progressive Governors Forum, reaffirming their support for Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, as chairman of the forum.
The governors took the position on Friday after a meeting at the Imo State Government House in Abuja, where they also passed a vote of confidence in Uzodimma and the forum’s vice chairman, Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani.
In a statement signed by Oguwike Nwachuku, Chief Press Secretary and Special Adviser on Media to the Imo State Governor, the meeting focused on preparations for the forthcoming APC primaries and efforts to ensure a hitch-free exercise.
Uzodimma, who presided over the more than three-hour meeting, said the forum considered it necessary to meet as the party prepares for its primaries ahead of the 2027 elections.
He said APC governors, party leaders, members and committees set up for the primaries must work together to deliver a smooth national and subnational exercise.
The PGF chairman also urged governors and party stakeholders to strengthen unity within the APC and deepen support for President Bola Tinubu’s reelection bid.
Uzodimma said the submissions of Tinubu’s reelection form on Thursday had made it important for APC governors to work collaboratively with other party leaders and members ahead of the 2027 polls.
According to him, Tinubu has shown performance in his first term and deserves the support of the party for another term.
Also speaking after the meeting, Sani said unity within the APC was not negotiable, adding that the governors were more united than ever in support of Tinubu and the party.
Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris, dismissed reports circulating on social media and in some traditional newspapers that the leadership of the PGF had been changed.
“That is not correct. You can see our Chairman, Governor Hope Uzodimma, and his Vice, Governor Uba Sani, are all here. They are our leaders. We don’t have any problems,” Idris said.
He added that he was using the opportunity to move a vote of confidence in the leadership of Uzodimma and Sani.
The clarification followed an earlier rebuttal by the Director-General of the PGF, Folorunso Aluko, who described the reports of leadership change as false and reaffirmed Uzodimma’s position as chairman of the forum.
Governors from Imo, Ondo, Kaduna, Taraba, Sokoto, Lagos, Ebonyi, Kano, Yobe, Edo, Zamfara, Benue, Kebbi, Borno and Jigawa attended the meeting. Nasarawa State was represented by its deputy governor.
