.....Crisis Over Leadership Dispute
ABUJA, Nigeria — A major leadership crisis has erupted within the governors’ forum of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), following conflicting claims over who currently chairs the influential body.
The controversy intensified after reports emerged that a faction of APC governors allegedly announced Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State as the new chairman of the forum during a meeting held at the Ogun State Governors’ Lodge in Abuja on Thursday night.
However, less than 24 hours later, another bloc of 16 APC governors convened at the Imo State Governors’ Lodge and reaffirmed Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State as the substantive chairman of the forum, while also retaining Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani as deputy chairman.
During the closed-door session, Kebbi State Governor Nasir Idris reportedly moved a motion expressing confidence in Uzodimma’s leadership, describing him as the “undisputed leader” of the APC Governors’ Forum. Governors from Ondo, Gombe, Kaduna, Edo, Sokoto, Ebonyi, Borno, Lagos, Kogi, Kano, Yobe, Kebbi, Benue, and Jigawa were said to be present at the meeting. Taraba State Governor attended briefly, while Nasarawa State was represented by its deputy governor.
Party insiders attributed the growing tension to disagreements surrounding financial management issues and leadership approach within the forum. Political observers also linked the unfolding crisis to early political realignments and succession calculations ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The development reportedly came only hours after Governor Uzodimma led a delegation of APC governors to submit President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s nomination forms, a move analysts believe may have further deepened existing divisions within the party structure.
Sources close to the presidency indicated that efforts are ongoing to calm tensions and preserve the current leadership arrangement pending further consultations.
With rival factions now openly asserting different positions, the APC Governors’ Forum appears to be facing one of its most visible internal divisions in recent years, raising concerns about unity within the ruling party as preparations for the 2027 political season gradually intensify.
