Eshioromeh Sebastian
A fierce leadership crisis has engulfed the Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF), with Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma locked in a battle to remain chairman after a majority of his colleagues reportedly removed him.
The dramatic showdown took place late Wednesday at an emergency meeting held at the Ogun State Governor’s Lodge in Abuja. According to multiple sources, at least 20 APC governors participated, with six others joining virtually.
The reason for the abrupt ouster, sources said, was a litany of complaints against Uzodimma’s leadership. The governors accused him of financial mismanagement, autocratic conduct, and a troubling lack of transparency regarding the forum’s funds. When asked to provide clarifications, the Imo governor allegedly failed to offer satisfactory responses, sealing his fate.
In his place, the forum has begun floating the name of Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah as a potential successor. While no formal announcement has been made, insiders revealed that the President was promptly briefed on the development and is believed to have also lost confidence in Uzodimma’s continued leadership.
Beyond finances, the Imo governor was also accused of high-handedness and running the forum as a one-man show, sidelining other governors on key decisions that required collective input. A source who attended the meeting said, “He stopped consulting. He stopped communicating. He acted as if the forum was his personal fiefdom.”
When confronted with the allegations during the meeting, Uzodimma allegedly failed to provide credible explanations, further solidifying the resolve of his colleagues to show him the door.
The timing of the meeting — immediately after President Bola Tinubu’s presidential nomination forms were submitted — raised eyebrows. Some observers believe the governors saw a window of opportunity to act while the President’s attention was focused on the nomination process.
Mbah Touted as Possible Successor
Even as Uzodimma fights to remain chairman, the forum is already looking ahead. Sources say the governors have begun touting Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah as a potential successor to lead the forum.
Mbah, a relative newcomer to the APC governors’ circle, is believed to enjoy the confidence of a significant bloc within the forum. His name has emerged as a consensus candidate for those eager to move past the Uzodimma era and project a fresher, more collaborative leadership style.
While no formal announcement has been made, insiders suggest that the President has been briefed on the development and may have also lost confidence in Uzodimma’s continued leadership. One source went further, claiming that the Chief of Staff to the President was informed of the removal before the meeting even adjourned.
Secretariat Fires Back: “He Remains Chairman”
Just as news of the ouster began spreading, the PGF Secretariat issued a rebuttal.
Its Director General, Folorunso S. Aluko, released a terse statement titled “PGF Denies False Reports of Removal of its Chairman,” categorically dismissing the reports as “false, baseless, and without an iota of truth.”
“No meeting of the Forum was held at which any such decision was taken,” Aluko insisted. “The PGF Secretariat has no record of, and is not aware of, any resolution removing the Chairman. His Excellency, Senator Hope Uzodimma, CON, remains the Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum.”
The statement advised the public, party faithful, and the media to disregard the reports entirely.
However, the Secretariat’s denial has done little to quell the crisis. Instead, it has deepened the confusion, creating a bizarre situation where the governors insist a decision was made while the secretariat — the forum’s administrative arm — insists nothing happened.
Uzodimma Fights Back
Behind closed doors, the Imo governor is said to be mounting a fierce counter-offensive. According to sources within his camp, Uzodimma views the purported removal as illegal and a violation of the forum’s own constitution.
“He is not recognizing any such decision,” a close associate of the governor said. “There are procedures for removing a chairman. A late-night gathering of some governors does not supersede the forum’s governing documents. Uzodimma remains chairman until the proper process is followed.”
The governor is reportedly reaching out to President Tinubu directly, as well as to influential APC power brokers and traditional rulers from the South-East, to intervene and halt what he describes as a political ambush.
Additionally, Uzodimma is believed to be leaning on his legal team, exploring the possibility of a court challenge should the governors attempt to formalize his removal.
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