The Progressive Governors Forum has dismissed reports alleging that Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State was removed as chairman of the body following an emergency meeting of governors in Abuja.
Addressing the claims in a statement issued on Thursday, the forum’s Director General, Folorunso Aluko, said the information being circulated was false and misleading, adding that no such decision was ever taken by its members.
He explained that there was no meeting at any time where the issue of removing Uzodimma was tabled, debated, or approved, stressing that the Imo governor remains the duly recognised chairman of the forum. According to him, the reports were completely unfounded and should be disregarded in their entirety.
The forum further clarified that its secretariat has no record or knowledge of any resolution seeking to replace the chairman, reaffirming Uzodimma’s continued leadership. It also urged party members and the general public to ignore the rumours, noting that the Progressive Governors Forum remains stable, united, and focused on its mandate.
The clarification comes in response to reports claiming that about 20 governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress had convened a meeting at the Ogun State Governor’s Lodge in Abuja, where Uzodimma’s removal was allegedly decided.
Those reports also alleged participation of governors from states such as Ogun, Bayelsa, and Enugu. They further claimed that the purported decision was linked to allegations of financial mismanagement, declining confidence in his leadership, and dissatisfaction with how the forum was being run.
Additional claims suggested that Uzodimma had been unable to satisfactorily address concerns raised over financial matters within the forum.
It was also alleged that the governors subsequently briefed President Bola Tinubu on the development, with further claims that he had lost confidence in Uzodimma’s leadership, though no official statement from the presidency has confirmed this.
