APC Power Play: Nwifuru Blasts Governors Over Uzodimma's PGF Chair Ouster

Ebonyi State governor, Francis Nwifuru, has strongly criticized some governors of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for their alleged attempts to unseat Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State from his position as chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF). Nwifuru lauded President Bola Tinubu, crediting him with outsmarting the dissenting governors and successfully thwarting their plot to remove Uzodimma.

During a stakeholders’ rally in Abakaliki, held in support of his re-election bid and President Tinubu’s re-election, Governor Nwifuru asserted that the anti-Uzodimma conspiracy was politically motivated and had been falsely attributed to the President. He claimed that those orchestrating the alleged scheme attempted to leverage President Tinubu’s name to legitimize their actions but ultimately failed.

Nwifuru specifically highlighted that when these individuals “connived to work against our leader, the chairman of the South-Eastern Nigerian Governor’s Forum, the chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum,” and sought to “indirectly destroy our party,” President Tinubu strategically demonstrated superior intelligence, preventing their efforts. He further stated that the rebellious governors had indirectly claimed presidential directive for their attempt to remove the PGF chairman, a claim Nwifuru refuted.

Reaffirming Uzodimma’s prominent role, Nwifuru stated, “Today, the chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum is here, Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodinma, The leader of our great party in South-eastern Nigeria, our brother, our ally.” He underscored the significance of President Tinubu’s decision to allocate the PGF chairmanship to South-eastern Nigeria, especially when there were only two APC governors from the region at the time, indicating the President’s consideration for the region’s interests.

The Ebonyi State governor maintained that the APC’s leadership structure remains robust and intact. He commended President Tinubu’s strategic political acumen and decision-making, unequivocally reaffirming Governor Uzodimma’s continued leadership as chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum. This defense comes after LEADERSHIP newspaper recalled that the PGF had experienced a significant leadership tussle weeks prior, stemming from reported disagreements among some APC governors regarding its leadership structure and influence within the ruling party, which nearly led to Uzodimma’s removal from the influential group’s helm.