In a high-level meeting of the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF), the chairman of the forum, Senator Hope Uzodimma, hailed the All Progressives Congress (APC) national chairman for progressive and strategic initiatives.
The Imo state governor, speaking at the meeting, stated that the strategic leadership of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration has steered the country in the right direction, transforming its economic landscape.
” The progressive leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has continued to transform the economic landscape of our country, and this positive direction is being embraced by all lovers of progress who are proudly joining the progressive family, ” says Uzodimma.
” I note with confidence that these reforms signal a renewed commitment to growth, stability, and inclusive development, reinforcing public trust in the vision and capacity of our great party to lead Nigeria forward,” he added.
Following the commendation of the APC national chairman and his secretary, Uzodimma revealed the progressive initiatives he believes are forward-thinking and deserve commendation. He stressed that the e-registration of members initiative is a game-changer, which will drive youth inclusivity and further promote transparency within the party.
Other initiatives worth mentioning are the forum’s adoption of a proposed timetable for its party congresses and national convention in line with INEC guidelines. The forum also reiterated its resolve to deepen internal democracy, strengthen the party’s structure, and advance reforms.
The PGF, headed by Uzodimma, was formed to promote policy harmonisation across all states under APC control. The current chairman of the forum is Governor Hope Uzodimma of the APC.
Uzodimma’s Growing Political Influence and Connections to the Centre
Aside from being the chairman of the forum that oversees all APC-controlled states in Nigeria. Governor Hope Uzodimma is also the sitting governor of Imo State. Over the years, the quiet but strong-willed politician has doubled his political fortunes, growing his influence in his state and on the national level.
He was the first APC governor in the South-East region following a controversial court judgment that ushered him to power, dethroning PDP’s Emeka Ihedioha in 2019. Uzodimma in 2023 secured a second term in an emphatic landslide victory, winning over 80% of the vote. At a regional level, he was instrumental in coercing the governors of Ebonyi and Enugu states to join the APC.
At the national level, Uzodimma has positioned himself as the President’s eyes in the South East region, personally inviting the former President, Muhammadu Buhari, and the Current President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to Imo State.
The PGF chairman was once again pivotal in swinging political influence from the centre in favour of the embattled Rivers state governor, Siminalayi Fubara.
Political analysts believe that Uzodimma is prepping himself for a higher position after his reign as Imo state governor. The eastern heartland emperor has reportedly set his eyes on the vice presidential slot in 2031 under the APC.
Political Opposition and Hurdles
So far, so good; the coast is clear for Uzodimma and his ambitions. Political opposition in his state comes from PDP’s Sam Anyanwu, who is a close ally of the controversial and notorious power broker, Nyesom Wike.
Nyesom Wike and Sam Anyanwu belong to the same faction in the troubled PDP, and the FCT minister is reportedly working to push Sam Anyanwu to succeed Hope Uzodimma in Imo state, thereby undercutting Uzodimma’s political base. Whether this will work for Nyesom Wike and his PDP ally remains to be seen.
In the meantime, Uzodimma, through effective political horse-trading and influence-building, has positioned himself as a central figure in the ruling APC party.
