There is confusion within the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF) following media reports that Peter Mbah, governor of Enugu state, has emerged as the new chairman of the body.
The reports claimed Mbah succeeded Hope Uzodimma, governor
of Imo state, after an extraordinary meeting of governors elected on the
platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), held in Abuja on Thursday
night.
Multiple sources said about 20 governors attended the
closed-door meeting, including those from Ogun, Bayelsa, and Enugu states.
Governors said to have voted against Uzodimma include those
from Adamawa, Zamfara, Delta, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Rivers, Bayelsa, Niger,
Kwara, Plateau, Enugu, Ogun, and Katsina states.
According to the sources, Uzodimma was backed by governors
of Yobe, Lagos, Gombe, Kogi, Edo, Ekiti, Ondo, Sokoto, Jigawa, Taraba, Ebonyi,
Benue, Kano, Kebbi, Nasarawa and Kaduna states.
The development was said to have occurred hours after
Uzodimma spoke on behalf of APC governors during the submission of President
Bola Tinubu’s presidential nomination and expression of interest forms in
Abuja.
Sources familiar with the development also claimed that the
PGF had split into two factions, with one bloc backing Mbah as chairman.
The sources said governors aligned with Uzodimma were
holding a separate closed-door meeting.
However, in a statement issued on Thursday night, the PGF
denied reports that Uzodimma had been removed as chairman of the forum.
“The attention of the Progressive Governors’ Forum has been
drawn to a false and misleading report circulating in some media platforms
alleging the removal of its Chairman, His Excellency Distinguished Senator Hope
Uzodimma, CON,” the statement reads.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Progressive Governors Forum
states categorically that the report is entirely false, baseless, and without
an iota of truth.
“No meeting of the forum was held at which any such decision
was taken. The PGF Secretariat has no record of, and is not aware of, any
resolution removing the chairman.
“His Excellency, Senator Hope Uzodimma, CON, remains the
chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum.”
The statement signed by Folorunso Aluko, director-general of
the forum, asked members of the public and party faithful to disregard the
reports.
“The Forum remains united, focused, and committed to its
responsibilities,” the statement added.
“The media are therefore advised to disregard the said
report in its entirety.”
When contacted by TheCable, one of Mbah’s aides, who asked
not to be named, said he was unaware of any development regarding the alleged
appointment.
“I heard the news in the media too. I don’t know anything
about it. My principal is in Abuja, and I am in Enugu,” the aide said.
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