…18 govs side with Imo colleague

There appears to be confusion with regards to the chairmanship of the Progressive Governors’ Forum, (PGF) as multiple sources yesterday said the ranks of the forum has been broken as members are torn between Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State and his counterpart in Enugu State counterpart, Governor Peter Mbah.

Details of what led to the schism were yet to be ascertained at the time of filing this report by Saturday Telegraph but those in the know stated that while 18 governors elected on the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC are reportedly rooting for Governor Uzodimma, Governor Mbah is said to command the support of the remaining 13.

Currently, the APC has 31 governors flying its banner in states across the country but trouble started on Thursday when some governors met somewhere in Abuja, the nation’s capital to elect Governor Mbah to lead them. Another group comprising of 18 governors reportedly met in Imo to dismiss the report of the sack of the Imo State helmsman, affirming the leadership of Governor Uzodinma.

Abiodun, AbdulRazaq join forces

However, another bloc within the forum has reportedly aligned behind Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun and Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, who are now leading a separate faction. The development marks a significant crack within the ranks of APC governors ahead of the 2027 general election cycle and comes amid growing political realignments within the ruling party.

Details surrounding the disagreement remain unclear, but sources within the party said tensions had been building over internal leadership control and strategic positioning ahead of the next election season.

The split is expected to trigger fresh political calculations within the APC, especially as governors remain critical power brokers in the party’s national structure. Neither faction has officially released a detailed statement explaining the cause of the division as of press time.

18 governors back Uzodimma

Speaking with journalists on behalf of his colleagues after a closed door meeting at the Imo State Lodge on Friday, the 18 governors physically present reaffirmed their support for Uzodimma’s leadership.

Governors present at the meeting presided over by Governor Uzodinma included Governors Lucky Ayeidatiwa (Ondo), Governor Uba Sani (Kaduna), Agbu Kefas (Taraba), Ahmad Aliyu (Sokoto), Francis Nwifuru (Ebonyi), Babagana Zulum (Borno), Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Ahmed Ododo (Kogi), Kabir Yusuf (Kano) Delta, .

Others present at the meeting include, Governors Mai Mala Buni (Yobe), Nasir Idris (Kebbi), Hyacinth Alia (Benue) and Umar Namadi (Jigawa) states, while Nasarawa State, Abdullahi Sule was represented by the deputy governor of the state, Mr. Emmanuel Akabe. Governor Kefas was said to have attended briefly before leaving after meeting with his host.

At the meeting held behind closed doors, the motion for the vote of confidence on Governor Uzodinma and his deputy, Governor Sani was moved by their Kebbi State counterpart, Governor Idris who declared that the duo remained the chairman and deputy chairman of the forum respectively. “We don’t have any problem to justify what they have said.

So, I want to use this opportunity to move a vote of confidence on our chairman and his deputy,” Idris stated. Also speaking, Governor Uba Sani described reports of disunity within the forum as unfortunate and misleading. “What I can say here is that all of us woke up to that very unfortunate story which was virtually in all the media in Nigeria.

But the truth of the matter is that the APC Progressive Governors Forum is very united. “We are stronger now than at any other time. And, of course, we are all supporting our President for what he has been doing. “We also want to assure everyone that the APC is united, governors are united, the forum is united and there is no problem at all,” he said.

While dismissing speculation of disunity within the APC, Governor Uzodimma said the party remained focused and committed to the forthcoming primaries and the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. “Governors of the Progressive Congress are all united and resolved to support Mr. President and to ensure that he comes out successfully during the upcoming elections in January 2027.

“So, we have decided to work harder, look after our people, show performance and provide all the necessary social interventions that will make Nigerians happy. That is, in fact, the resolution we arrived at this afternoon,” Uzodinma said.