Twenty APC state governors moved to remove Senator Hope Uzodinma as chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum last Thursday, citing financial impropriety and loss of confidence in his leadership. The vote took place during an extraordinary meeting in Abuja, shortly after Vice President Kashim Shettima submitted President Bola Tinubu's presidential nomination forms. Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State was named as Uzodinma's replacement, according to reports of the meeting.
Several governors expressed dissatisfaction with Uzodinma's leadership style and his response to allegations against him. Among those backing the no-confidence vote were Governors Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa, Dauda Lawal of Zamfara, Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta, Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom, Bassey Otu of Cross River, Sim Fubara of Rivers, Duoye Diri of Bayelsa, Hyacinth Alia of Benue, Umar Bago of Niger, Abdulrazaq Abdulrahman of Kwara, Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa, Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau, Peter Mbah of Enugu, Francis Nwigwe of Ebonyi, Dapo Abiodun of Ogun, Babagana Zulum of Borno, Agbu Kefas of Taraba, Dikko Radda of Katsina, Nasir Idris of Kebbi, and Abba Yusuf of Kano.
However, Folorunsho Aluko, Director General of the PGF, dismissed the reports, stating that no meeting had been held to remove Uzodinma and that the claims were "entirely false, baseless, and without an iota of truth." He affirmed that Uzodinma remains the legitimate chairman and that the forum is united.
Despite the denial, Uzodinma convened an emergency meeting in Abuja the following day, where 18 governors passed a vote of confidence in his leadership. Governors supporting him include Mai Mala Buni of Yobe, Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos, Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe, Usman Ododo of Kogi, Monday Okpebholo of Edo, Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti, Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo, Ahmad Aliyu of Sokoto, Umar Namadi of Jigawa, and Uba Sani of Kaduna.
Kebbi State Governor Nasir Idris confirmed that Uzodinma and Uba Sani remain chairman and deputy chairman, respectively. He moved a formal vote of confidence in both leaders. Uba Sani said the media reports were unfortunate but affirmed unity among APC governors and support for President Tinubu ahead of the 2027 elections.
Hope Uzodinma faces a split in support among APC governors, with 20 moving to remove him while 18 later back his leadership. The conflicting actions expose a lack of clear decision-making structure within the Progressive Governors Forum. This disarray risks weakening the APC's internal cohesion as it approaches the 2027 elections. Public unity claims cannot mask the visible divisions among its top members.
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