ABUJA, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)-The Progressive Governors Forum has passed a vote of confidence on its chairman and Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodinma, as 18 governors elected under the platform of the All Progressives Congress dismissed reports suggesting plans to replace him.
The endorsement followed speculations about a possible leadership change within the forum.
On Thursday night, some members were said to have announced the Governor of Enugu State, Peter Mbah, as the new leader of the group.
However, addressing journalists after a closed-door meeting at the Imo Lodge on Friday, the 18 governors in attendance reaffirmed their backing for Uzodinma’s leadership.
The governors present included those from Ondo, Kaduna, Taraba, Sokoto, Ebonyi, Borno, Lagos, Kogi, Kano, Yobe, Kebbi, Benue, and Jigawa states, while Nasarawa State was represented by its deputy governor.
Taraba State Governor, Agbu Kefas, was also present briefly before leaving after a short meeting with the host governor.
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Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris, who moved the motion for the vote of confidence, said Uzodinma and Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, remained the chairman and deputy chairman of the forum respectively.
Idris said: “We don’t have any problem to justify what they have said. So, I want to seize this opportunity to move a vote of confidence in our chairman and his deputy.”
Speaking further, Sani said: “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 ofread 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, the governors are united, the forum is united, and there is no problem at all.”
Rejecting claims of division within the APC, Uzodinma maintained that the party remained united, focused, and committed to its upcoming primaries.
He stated, “Governors of the All Progressives Congress are united and resolved to support Mr. President and ensure that he emerges successfully in the upcoming elections in January 2027.
“So, we have decided to work harder, look after our people, demonstrate performance, and provide all the necessary social interventions that will make Nigerians happy. That is, in fact, the resolution we came up with this afternoon.”