Nigeria 🇳🇬 Politics
Sources familiar with the development disclosed that the decision was reached after hours of deliberation among APC governors, with several party stakeholders reportedly expressing concerns over the direction of the forum and the need for a fresh leadership structure capable of uniting governors across different blocs within the party.
The Progressive Governors Forum serves as the umbrella body for governors elected on the platform of the APC and plays a major role in shaping policy direction, party negotiations, inter-governmental coordination, and consensus-building ahead of key political decisions.
Uzodimma’s removal is therefore being viewed by observers as a significant political development within the ruling party.
Although details of the meeting remained sketchy as of press time, insiders revealed that the governors agreed on the need to reposition the forum to address growing internal consultations, succession discussions, and emerging alliances ahead of the 2027 presidential race and forthcoming off-cycle elections.
The move is also believed to be connected to ongoing power negotiations within the APC, as influential blocs within the party continue to strategize over leadership control, party structure, and regional interests. Some governors reportedly argued that the forum needed a chairman who would maintain broader neutrality amid increasing political tensions and permutations across the country.
Hope Uzodimma, a prominent ally of President Bola Tinubu and one of the influential figures in the APC, assumed leadership of the PGF during a critical period marked by post-election reconciliation and internal party restructuring. During his tenure, the forum played active roles in national economic discussions, security consultations, and party mobilization efforts.
However, recent disagreements among governors over party administration, policy coordination, and the management of internal political interests reportedly widened cracks within the forum, culminating in Thursday’s decision in Abuja.
Party insiders say consultations are already ongoing regarding a possible replacement, with governors from different geopolitical zones said to be lobbying for the position in what could trigger another round of political balancing within the APC leadership hierarchy.
As of the time of filing this report, neither the APC National Working Committee nor the Progressive Governors Forum had issued an official statement confirming the development. Efforts to reach aides of the Imo State governor for comments were still ongoing.
The latest development is expected to generate fresh debate within Nigeria’s political space, especially as parties begin early preparations and strategic alignments ahead of the 2027 general elections.