Fresh cracks have emerged within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) following a dramatic leadership dispute involving the chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF) and Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodimma, exposing growing tensions among governors ahead of the 2027 political season.
The controversy erupted after reports surfaced that a majority of APC governors had allegedly moved against Uzodimma during a late-night meeting in Abuja, accusing him of financial impropriety and expressing dissatisfaction with his leadership of the influential governors’ bloc.
According to sources familiar with the development, about 20 governors reportedly attended the meeting, where discussions centered on the future of the forum and concerns over Uzodimma’s stewardship.
The governors were said to have resolved to replace the Imo governor with Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, in what observers described as a major internal rebellion within the ruling party.
Sources at the meeting claimed several governors questioned Uzodimma’s handling of the affairs of the forum and demanded accountability over allegations said to have generated unease among members.
One governor reportedly argued that the credibility of the forum could be undermined if allegations of misconduct against its chairman were ignored, insisting that leadership must be anchored on trust and transparency.
Another source said the governors viewed the PGF as a voluntary political body whose members reserve the right to change leadership whenever confidence is lost.
The anti-Uzodimma camp allegedly included governors from Adamawa, Zamfara, Delta, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Rivers, Bayelsa, Benue, Niger, Kwara, Nasarawa, Plateau, Enugu, Ebonyi, Ogun, Borno, Taraba, Katsina, Kebbi and Kano states.
Meanwhile, governors believed to be loyal to Uzodimma reportedly came from Lagos, Kaduna, Kogi, Edo, Ekiti, Ondo, Sokoto, Jigawa, Gombe and Yobe states.
The development immediately sparked confusion within political circles, especially after the Progressive Governors’ Forum issued a strong denial.
In a statement signed by the forum’s Director General, Folorunso Aluko, the PGF dismissed reports of Uzodimma’s removal as false and unfounded.
The forum insisted that no official resolution had been passed against the Imo governor and maintained that he remained the substantive chairman of the body.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the report is entirely false, baseless and without an iota of truth,” the statement read in part.
However, rather than calm the situation, the denial appeared to deepen speculation over the true state of affairs within the APC governors’ camp.
In what many interpreted as a damage-control move, APC governors convened another meeting at the Imo Lodge on Friday, where they publicly endorsed Uzodimma and passed a vote of confidence in his leadership.
The meeting, attended physically by 18 governors, was aimed at countering narratives of division and leadership instability within the forum.
Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris, who moved the motion for the vote of confidence, declared that the forum remained united and fully behind Uzodimma.
Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, also dismissed reports of crisis, insisting that APC governors remained solidly united.
“We all woke up to that unfortunate story, but the truth is that the Progressive Governors’ Forum is very united,” Sani said.
“We are stronger now than at any other time. The governors are united and there is no problem at all.”
Uzodimma, while addressing journalists after the meeting, attempted to downplay the controversy, saying the governors were focused on governance and preparations for the 2027 elections.
According to him, the APC governors remain committed to supporting the President and strengthening the party ahead of the next electoral cycle.
Despite the public show of unity, political analysts believe the episode has revealed underlying tensions within the APC, particularly among governors positioning themselves for greater influence ahead of 2027.
The Progressive Governors’ Forum has long been regarded as one of the most powerful structures within the ruling party, often serving as a key platform for negotiations, alliances and succession calculations.
As a result, any leadership dispute within the body is likely to have wider implications for the APC’s internal stability and future political direction.
The mention of Governor Mbah as a possible replacement for Uzodimma has also generated interest across political circles, with observers suggesting that it points to emerging alliances and a possible reshaping of power blocs within the governors’ forum.
Although the APC leadership has sought to project unity, insiders say the disagreements within the forum may not have been fully resolved and could intensify as political calculations ahead of 2027 gather momentum.