Division Emerges Within Party Governors Forum as Uzodinma Receives Backing from 18 Governors
As the opposition faces increasing fragmentation ahead of the 2027 general elections, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has significantly bolstered its resources, amassing over N4.45 billion through the sale of nomination and expression of interest forms. This financial windfall further enhances its political leverage against disorganized rivals. The party’s impressive earnings stemmed from the sale of candidacy forms to two presidential hopefuls, more than 83 gubernatorial candidates across 28 states, as well as candidates for the National and State Assemblies.
The APC tallied N200 million from the purchase of presidential application forms by President Bola Tinubu and Stanley Osifo. The fees for governorship candidate forms were set at N50 million, while Senate papers were priced at N20 million and House of Representatives forms at N10 million.
Uzodinma Resists Leadership Challenge
These developments unfolded against a backdrop of escalating tensions within the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF). Imo State Governor Senator Hope Uzodinma successfully fended off attempts to unseat him, securing a vote of confidence with substantial backing from 18 out of 31 APC governors. The forum had initially intended to replace Uzodinma with Enugu State Governor Peter Mba during a scheduled vote. However, after a closed-door meeting in Abuja, 18 governors expressed their support for Uzodinma’s leadership.
Kebbi State Governor Dr. Nasir Idris articulated this alliance, emphasizing the importance of unity among the governors. He remarked, “I have no problem justifying what they have said, so I would like to seize this opportunity to give a vote of confidence to the Speaker and Deputy Speaker.” Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani echoed these sentiments, stating that the APC Progressive Governors Forum remains strongly united.
Confident Stance of the APC Governors
During the meeting, the governors collectively asserted their support for President Tinubu’s administration. They claimed the APC is more unified now than ever and reiterated their commitment to securing a victory in the upcoming elections slated for January 2027. “We are intending to work harder, attend to the needs of our constituents, and implement social interventions that will uplift Nigerians,” Uzodinma declared.
Simultaneously, the ruling party began the crucial process of selecting candidates for gubernatorial, Senate, and House of Representatives positions in preparation for the upcoming primaries. Initial plans indicated that the primaries for House candidates would be held on May 15, 2026, with Senate and gubernatorial primaries scheduled for May 18 and May 21, respectively.
Committees Established for Candidate Selection
To facilitate this process, the APC has formed two committees dedicated to scrutinizing incumbent governors—one led by party chairman Professor Nentawe Yurwatoda and the other focused on other gubernatorial candidates under the leadership of Dr. Ben Nwoye. The review for incumbent governors will occur at the Plateau Governors Lodge in Abuja, while evaluations for other candidates will unfold at various locations across the nation.
Eligibility Concerns Raised by Advocacy Groups
Meanwhile, the African Peering Advocacy and Advancement Center (PAACA) and the Center for Policy Advocacy and Leadership Development (CPALD) have raised alarms regarding the eligibility of Professor Princewill Igbagala to vie for a parliamentary seat under the APC banner. In a petition dated May 7, 2026, PAACA Secretary-General Ezenwa Nwagwu spotlighted concerns over Igbagala holding dual positions—as a professor at Federal University Otuoke and as a Special Adviser to the Governor of Bayelsa State—suggesting potential violations of civil service regulations and ethical standards.
Calls for Investigations and Accountability
Nwagwu urged the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offenses Commission (ICPC) to conduct an investigation to ascertain if Igbagala’s dual roles contravene the Constitution, the Electoral Act, and other relevant regulations. He emphasized that simultaneously holding these roles while pursuing an elective position raises significant questions about conflicts of interest and any potential misuse of governmental resources for political gain.
In a parallel petition, CPALD Executive Director Edward Terna underscored the importance of transparency and accountability for individuals aiming for elective office. Additionally, Hon. Afuye Idowu from Ekiti State is advocating for the disqualification of the current senator representing Ekiti North, Cyril Fasuyi, citing his lack of significant contributions during his tenure. Idowu has expressed that if the National Working Committee (NWC) does not act on his petition, a waiting game during the primaries is on the horizon.
