Tinubu Resolves Progressives Governors Forum Crisis Over Alleged N800bn Campaign Fund Dispute

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reportedly intervened in the crisis rocking the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF) following allegations surrounding the management of over N800 billion allegedly raised by governors of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for the President’s 2027 re-election campaign.

 

The controversy, which reportedly caused deep divisions among APC governors, centered on allegations that the funds were mismanaged under the supervision of Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma, who serves as Chairman of the PGF.

 

According to THEWILL, the disagreement escalated after some governors accused Uzodinma of failing to properly account for monies allegedly contributed through deductions from states’ Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) allocations.

 

The crisis reportedly led to a split within the Forum, with a faction allegedly backing Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, as a new chairman of the group.

 

THEWILL reported that the governors had agreed to fund Tinubu’s re-election efforts through monthly deductions paid into an account allegedly controlled by Uzodinma under the Renewed Hope Ambassador (RHA) platform. The platform was reportedly created to promote the policies and achievements of the Tinubu administration ahead of the 2027 general elections.

 

According to the publication, Uzodinma allegedly secured the cooperation of former Finance Minister Wale Edun to facilitate the deductions from participating states.

 

However, trouble reportedly started after governors allegedly agreed to establish a separate campaign structure known as the Renewed Hope Network (RHN), into which the funds were expected to be transferred. THEWILL claimed that Uzodinma informed his colleagues that the money had already been spent, triggering outrage among members of the Forum.

 

The development reportedly heightened tensions within the APC and led to frantic consultations among party leaders.

 

THEWILL further reported that President Tinubu, who is currently on an official foreign trip, personally intervened after learning about the crisis. The publication quoted sources as saying the President held extensive discussions with key figures involved in the dispute, including Uzodinma, Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun and Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.

 

According to the report, Tinubu’s intervention helped calm tensions within the Forum, while some funds were allegedly recovered from Uzodinma after he reportedly rendered accounts concerning the disputed contributions.

 

THEWILL also alleged that the matter contributed to Tinubu’s decision to remove Edun from the cabinet, with sources claiming the President believed the former minister exceeded his authority in authorising financial disbursements without presidential approval.

 

Beyond the financial allegations, the report said internal power struggles and personality clashes among APC governors also fueled the dispute.

 

THEWILL claimed that some governors were uncomfortable with what they described as Uzodinma’s “overbearing posture” as PGF chairman, accusing him of sidelining the broader Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) and engaging directly with the President on major issues without adequate consultation.

 

The publication stated that these grievances culminated in a meeting reportedly held at the Ogun State Governor’s Lodge in Abuja, where dissatisfied governors allegedly discussed replacing Uzodinma with Governor Mbah.

 

Despite the reports, the PGF leadership has strongly denied claims of division within the Forum.

 

In a statement, Director-General of the PGF, Folorunso Aluko, described the reports as “false, baseless and without an iota of truth.”

 

“For the avoidance of doubt, the Progressive Governors Forum states categorically that the report is entirely false, baseless and without an iota of truth,” Aluko said.

 

He added that no meeting was held to remove Uzodinma and insisted that the Imo governor remains chairman of the Forum.

 

The statement followed a closed-door meeting attended by 18 APC governors at the Imo Lodge in Abuja, where members reaffirmed confidence in Uzodinma’s leadership.

 

Speaking on behalf of the governors, Kebbi State Governor Nasir Idris dismissed suggestions of a crisis within the Forum.

 

“We are stronger now than at any other time. And, of course, we are all supporting the President for what he has been doing. We also want to assure everyone that the APC is united, the governors are united, the forum is united, and there is no problem at all,” he said.

 

Meanwhile, THEWILL also linked the controversy surrounding Uzodinma to ongoing discussions within the Senate over proposed amendments to its standing rules ahead of the 2027 political transition.

 

The publication reported that the Imo governor is among several outgoing governors allegedly eyeing seats in the Senate in 2027, with speculations that he may also seek the position of Senate President.

 

According to THEWILL, proposed amendments to Senate rules were seen in some political circles as attempts to limit the eligibility of returning governors and other political heavyweights seeking principal offices in the upper chamber.

 

However, following opposition from several lawmakers, including former Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole, the Senate later reversed parts of the controversial amendments.

 

Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele reportedly acknowledged that aspects of the amendments could conflict with the Nigerian Constitution, leading to their withdrawal.