Fresh details have emerged on how the Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum and Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodimma, reportedly survived an alleged move to remove him from office last week.
Speculations of a leadership crisis within the forum surfaced on Friday following claims that some governors had met in Abuja and replaced Uzodimma with the Governor of Enugu State, Peter Mbah.
However, the alleged move was immediately trailed by controversy as no official statement, photographs, video clips, or communique emerged to support the claim.
The rumoured shake-up also raised questions after Uzodimma had earlier led some governors to submit the nomination form of President Bola Tinubu for the 2027 presidential election.
Observers also noted that the Director-General of the Progressive Governors Forum, Folorunsho Aluko, reportedly had no knowledge of the purported meeting.
None of the governors alleged to have participated in the meeting publicly confirmed the development, while Mbah himself did not make any official comment on the reports.
The rumour was, however, short-lived as more than 23 governors reportedly converged at the Imo State Governor’s Lodge in Abuja to reaffirm their support for Uzodimma.
Following a closed-door meeting, the governors passed a vote of confidence on the PGF chairman and reiterated their support during a press briefing addressed by Uzodimma.
Governor Nasir Idris of Kebbi State, who moved the motion, maintained that there was no division within the forum and affirmed Uzodimma’s leadership.
The motion was seconded by Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State.
The governors also used the occasion to restate their support for Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027.
Political observers believe the swift rally around Uzodimma signalled confidence in his leadership of the forum and reflected his influence within the ruling All Progressives Congress.
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While speculation continues over the motive behind the alleged plot, some analysts believe it may be linked to internal power struggles within the party ahead of the 2027 elections.
Others argue that Uzodimma’s close relationship with Tinubu may have made him a target for political forces seeking to weaken the president’s support base within the APC.
