Eighteen governors elected under the All Progressives Congress have reaffirmed their support for Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma as chairman of the Progressive Governors' Forum, dismissing reports of a leadership change. The vote of confidence followed claims on Thursday night that Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah had been named the new leader of the forum. At a meeting held Friday at the Imo Lodge, the 18 governors present rejected the speculation and endorsed Uzodimma's continued leadership. Kebbi State Governor Nasir Idris moved the motion for the vote, stating that Uzodimma and Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani remain the chairman and deputy chairman, respectively. "We don't have any problem to justify what they have said. So, I want to seize this opportunity to move a vote of confidence in our chairman and his deputy," Idris said. Governors present included those from Ondo, Kaduna, Taraba, Sokoto, Ebonyi, Borno, Lagos, Kogi, Kano, Yobe, Kebbi, Benue and Jigawa states. Nasarawa State was represented by its deputy governor. The Taraba State governor attended briefly before leaving after a short meeting with Uzodimma. Speaking after the meeting, Sani described the reports as "very unfortunate" and said the forum is united. "We are stronger now than at any other time," he said. Uzodimma stated that APC governors are united and resolved to support President Bola Tinubu's re-election bid in January 2027. He said the governors resolved to intensify performance-driven governance and social interventions for Nigerians.
Uzodimma leads a unity push while reports of his removal suggest internal fractures remain unaddressed. The swift rejection of Mbah's alleged appointment reveals a leadership contest was at least attempted. If governors needed to issue a statement to confirm Uzodimma still chairs the forum, the unity they claim was already in question. Their focus on backing the President ahead of 2027 does not erase the confusion that preceded it.
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