A fresh crisis rocking the Progressive Governors Forum appeared to ease on Friday after 18 governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress passed a vote of confidence on the leadership of Hope Uzodimma as Chairman of the forum.
The emergency show of solidarity followed reports of an alleged leadership shake-up within the governors’ forum after some members were said to have backed Peter Mbah as a new leader of the bloc.
The development had sparked speculations of deepening cracks within the ruling party ahead of the 2027 general elections and ongoing consultations over the APC primaries.
Addressing journalists after a closed-door meeting held at the Imo Lodge in Abuja, the governors dismissed reports of division and insisted that the forum remained united behind Uzodimma and his deputy, Uba Sani.
Governors physically present at the meeting included those of Ondo, Kaduna, Sokoto, Ebonyi, Borno, Lagos, Kogi, Kano, Yobe, Kebbi, Benue and Jigawa states, while Nasarawa State was represented by the deputy governor.
The governor of Taraba State was also said to have attended briefly before leaving after meeting with the host.
Moving the motion for a vote of confidence, Nasir Idris declared that there was no justification for claims of crisis or leadership change in the forum.
“We don’t have any problem to justify what they have said. So, I want to seek this opportunity to move a vote of confidence on our chairman and his deputy,” Idris stated.
Also speaking, Uba Sani described media reports suggesting a split in the forum as “unfortunate,” insisting that APC governors remained united and firmly behind President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“What I can say here is that all of us woke up with that very unfortunate story that we have virtually in all the media in Nigeria. But the truth of the matter is that the APC Progressive Governors Forum is very united.
“We’re 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 APC is united, governors are united, the forum is united and there is no problem at all,” he said.
In his remarks, Uzodimma also dismissed speculations of disunity in the ruling party, stressing that the governors were focused on governance, party cohesion and preparations for the forthcoming elections.
“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 by January 2027.
“So we have decided to work harder, look after our people, show performance and provide all the necessary social interventions that make Nigerians happy,” he stated.