Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah has been named chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF) by about 20 governors who are members of the forum, following the reported removal of Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma from the position. The decision reportedly came after an extraordinary meeting of All Progressives Congress (APC) governors held in Abuja on Thursday night. According to sources close to the development, the meeting took place at the Ogun Government Lodge and was attended by governors including Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, Douye Diri of Bayelsa State, and Peter Mbah of Enugu State, among 17 others.
The news of Mbah’s appointment has sparked conflicting statements from different quarters. While the PGF’s Director General, Folorunso Aluko, issued a statement denying the reports, calling them “false and misleading,” he insisted that no such meeting occurred and that Governor Uzodinma remains the chairman of the forum. Aluko’s denial came shortly after media outlets like Arise TV reported the meeting and the change in leadership. Despite the official rebuttal, a source with direct knowledge of the event confirmed to DAILY POST that the meeting did take place and that the governors present had indeed agreed to replace Uzodinma with Mbah.
The Progressive Governors Forum, which brings together APC governors to coordinate policy and political strategies, has seen internal tensions in recent months. The reported shift in leadership suggests growing dissatisfaction among some members with Uzodinma’s leadership, though no official reason has been given for the alleged removal. The forum plays a critical role in shaping the party’s agenda at the state level, and any change in leadership could have implications for APC’s political direction and unity.
The meeting’s timing and location—held in Abuja on Thursday night—add to the speculation surrounding the decision. The Ogun Government Lodge, often used for high-level political gatherings, became the focal point of the alleged power shift. While the PGF leadership denies the meeting, the fact that multiple governors confirmed attendance to media outlets suggests that the event did occur, even if it was not officially sanctioned.
This development comes at a crucial time for the APC as it prepares for upcoming elections and seeks to consolidate its position across states. The appointment of Peter Mbah, a relatively new governor with a strong political profile in the South-East, could signal a strategic realignment within the party. His leadership may bring fresh perspectives to the forum’s operations and influence policy decisions in the region.
As the situation unfolds, the discrepancy between the official statement and the reports from attendees will likely prompt further scrutiny. The political implications of this leadership change could ripple through the APC’s state structures, affecting coalition-building and governance strategies. The next steps will depend on whether the forum’s leadership formally recognizes the new chairman or maintains its current stance.
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