*The Peter Obi, Goodluck Jonathan Links
By our reporters
State Governors of the federally-ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) appear to be in disarray as a tussle for leadership of their umbrella Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF) has torn the group apart.
Though Director General (DG) of the forum, Folorunsho S. Aluko, has immediately jumped to defend the status quo in the body, saying Imo State governor, Hope Uzodimma, allegedly dethroned by an emerging faction, led by Governors Dapo Abiodun (Ogun State) and AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq (Kwara State), remains in office as PGF Chairman, information available to People&Politics showed that all is not well with the body.
Following a night-time meeting in Abuja on Thursday, sources said Uzodimma was removed and Gov. Peter Mbah of Enugu State, installed to succeed him.
Both Uzodimma and Mbah come from the South-East geopolitical zone.
The meeting was said to have been attended by at least two of the governors listed above, as well as others, who sought a change of leadership.
The sources did not say exactly why the ‘warring’ governors wanted Uzodimma out.
However, it may not be totally unconnected to moves towards a paradigm shift within the forum as the governors’ competing blocs seek to upstage one another over power control to ‘plant’ allies who, in their view, can effectively birth a second term for President Bola Tinubu in 2027 -the successful fulfilment of which is a literal visa to a political paradise to cronies and others for another four years.
People&Politics gathered that the bid to oust Uzodimma and instal Mbah stemmed from fears that Tinubu may not do well in the South-East during the poll, despite public and private assurances given by Uzodimma, Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifuru, Works Minister Dave Umahi and others.
The fear is greatly heightened by the expected “and dreaded” entry into the presidential race by Mr Peter Obi, who, it is widely believed, will clinch the ticket of Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
According to the sources, the calculation is that, if he is allowed to run, Obi will clear over 80% of votes in the South-East, possibly leaving Tinubu trailing ominously badly.
Another source sparking trepidation, it was learned, is the Goodluck Jonathan factor.
Only yesterday, the former President challenged a case before the Federal High Court Abuja seeking to stop him from running for the nation’s top seat next year. The case was adjourned to Monday, 11 May for hearing of Jonathan’s objection and the substantive suit.
Ahead of yesterday’s court matter, Jonathan had been besieged by some Nigerians demanding that he throws his hat in the ring for 2027 -a development he was widely reported as “seriously considering.”
Thus, it appears that the governors allegedly spearheading Uzodimma’s removal may be acting on the presumption that with the South-South (Jonathan’s home base) likely going to vote for him en masse and the South-East solidly behind Obi, Tinubu’s poll chances in both vital zones will considerably slim down amid the unbending imperative to fulfill the constitutional requirement of two-thirds geographical spread for any candidate to be declared winner of the presidential election.
Both the South-East and South-South zones boast a total of 11 states. These are, for the South-East, Enugu, Imo, Anambra, Ebonyi and Abia (five states) while the South-South has Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Rivers, Cross River, Edo, and Delta (six states).
“Therefore, the pro-Tinubu 2027 governors feel Uzodimma lacks the required necessary political and social goodwill/capital, clout and sagacity to help swing votes for the president next year, especially in the South-East, irrespective of his past contributions to berthing APC on ground in the zone.
“Rather, in Mbah, a new recruit to APC, they see a man who possesses these qualities, the reach, the persuasive finesse, and more, if the president is to do well in both the South-East and South-South,” a source said.
Calls put through by People&Politics to one of Gov. Mbah’s media aides, Uche Anichukwu, went unanswered initially.
Pressed through other communication channels, Anichukwu stated that he was “busy somewhere” and would not answer to calls at that time. However, the aide still did not reply to our quest, as of press time.
Before then, the PGF, through Aluko, had sought to dissuade members of the public from believing reports of a fracture in the august body.
In a statement titled ‘PGF Denies False Reports of Removal of its Chairman’, the DG had stated: “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.
“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 Forum remains united, focused, and committed to its responsibilities. Members of the public, party faithful and the media are therefore advised to disregard the said report in its entirety.”
*PHOTO CAPTION:Govs Mbah (l) and Uzodimma.
