Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has emerged at the center of intense political speculation following reports that he has been selected to succeed Hope Uzodimma as Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF).
The development reportedly followed a closed-door extraordinary meeting involving about 20 governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), held Thursday night at the Ogun State Governor’s Lodge in Abuja.
Governors from several states, including Ogun, Bayelsa, and Enugu, were said to have attended the high-level meeting, where discussions reportedly centered on the leadership of the influential governors’ forum ahead of future political activities within the ruling party.
According to reports circulating online, Governor Mbah was chosen during the meeting to take over from Governor Uzodimma, marking what observers describe as a significant shift in the leadership structure of the PGF.
The reports surfaced just hours after Governor Uzodimma addressed party leaders and supporters on behalf of APC governors during the submission of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s presidential nomination and expression of interest forms in Abuja.
However, the claims of Uzodimma’s removal have since been denied by the leadership of the Progressive Governors Forum.
In a statement issued Thursday night, the Director-General of the PGF, Folorunso Aluko, dismissed the reports as false and misleading, insisting that no such decision was taken by the forum.
“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 Senator Hope Uzodimma,” Aluko stated.
He further maintained that Governor Uzodimma remains the chairman of the forum and urged party faithful and members of the media to disregard the reports entirely.
“The forum remains united, focused, and committed. Members of the party and the media are advised to disregard the said report in its entirety,” the statement added.
The conflicting narratives have heightened political intrigue within the APC, especially as the party begins strategic realignments ahead of future electoral contests.
As of the time of filing this report, there has been no official announcement confirming a leadership change within the Progressive Governors Forum.
