The Progressive Governors' Forum (PGF) is facing internal division as two rival factions emerge over its leadership, with Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State maintaining his position as chairman despite challenges from a bloc led by Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State. Uzodimma, backed by the governors of Kano, Kaduna, Lagos, Edo, Ekiti, Ondo, Kebbi, Yobe, Sokoto, Jigawa, Ebonyi, Nasarawa, Kogi, Gombe, Taraba, and Benue states, received a vote of confidence during an emergency meeting held Friday at the Imo State Lodge in Abuja. Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna remains deputy chairman under Uzodimma's leadership. The opposing group includes governors from Adamawa, Zamfara, Delta, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Rivers, Bayelsa, Niger, Kwara, Plateau, Enugu, and Katsina states, who are aligned with Abiodun and Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara. The meeting followed public denials by the PGF that Uzodimma had been removed as chairman, a claim the forum described as false. Attendees at the gathering included Umar Namadi of Jigawa, Hyacinth Alia of Benue, Nasir Idris of Kebbi, Mai Mala Buni of Yobe, Abba Yusuf of Kano, Ahmed Ododo of Kogi, and Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi. The PGF has not announced any resolution to unify the factions or schedule a formal leadership election. No national party directive or intervention from APC leadership was mentioned in the source.
Hope Uzodimma's retention as PGF chairman by a bloc of 15 governors exposes the fragility of APC unity despite its hold on power. The regional split—southwest and north-central governors backing Abiodun, while much of the north and southwest support Uzodimma—reveals fault lines that could weaken the party's coordination ahead of future elections. No national reconciliation plan has been disclosed by the forum.
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