Inside Sources Details APC Govs fight with Uzodinma

Veteran journalist and former presidential spokesman, Laolu Akande, has revealed what he described as a deepening internal crisis among governors in Nigeria’s progressive political bloc, disclosing how Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, and Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, allegedly confronted Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma, over what he termed “alleged excesses” in the leadership of […]

Veteran journalist and former presidential spokesman, Laolu Akande, has revealed what he described as a deepening internal crisis among governors in Nigeria’s progressive political bloc, disclosing how Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, and Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, allegedly confronted Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma, over what he termed “alleged excesses” in the leadership of the Progressive Governors’ Forum.

Speaking during the My Take segment of Inside Sources with Laolu Akande aired on Channels Television on Sunday, Akande said trouble had been brewing within the camp of governors aligned with the ruling progressives, with recent events exposing what he described as a struggle over power, procedure, transparency, and political influence at the highest levels of the party.
According to Akande, the unfolding crisis became public following two parallel meetings held within 24 hours, each producing conflicting outcomes over the leadership of the Progressive Governors’ Forum.

He disclosed that on Thursday in Abuja, a meeting allegedly convened at the Ogun State House resulted in the emergence of Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, as a “new chairman” of the forum. However, barely 24 hours later, another meeting chaired by Uzodinma reaffirmed confidence in the Imo governor’s leadership, effectively creating confusion over who truly controls the influential governors’ platform.

Akande said the drama was not accidental but rather the culmination of months of frustration among several governors over Uzodinma’s leadership style and alleged unilateral decisions.

Akande revealed that one of the major flashpoints occurred during the ruling party’s national convention in March, where several governors reportedly became uncomfortable with what he described as last-minute alterations to agreed electoral procedures.
According to him, governors had reached a consensus that all members of the party’s National Working Committee would be returned unopposed after due process, including purchase of nomination forms, screening, and internal consultations.
However, he alleged that Uzodinma disrupted the arrangement by allegedly engineering last-minute substitutions at the convention ground.
Akande said sources told Inside Sources that one member of the National Working Committee, who had reportedly completed all nomination requirements and had gone through the entire screening process, was removed on the very day of the convention and replaced with another individual who had allegedly not purchased forms, paid nomination fees, nor undergone screening.
He further alleged that the replacement was allegedly approved by party officials despite clear procedural concerns.
According to Akande, Governor Abiodun openly challenged the move and reportedly questioned how one governor could unilaterally overturn decisions collectively reached by all progressive governors.
“Prince Dapo Abiodun reportedly argued that no individual should be able to single-handedly pervert rules and agreements already reached by all the governors,” Akande said.
He added that Abiodun’s intervention marked one of the first open confrontations against Uzodinma’s leadership style.
Akande also disclosed that tensions extended beyond party conventions into financial matters involving special federal allocations reportedly approved for state governments.
According to him, federal sources told Inside Sources that hundreds of billions of naira in special monthly allocations meant for states had been under the coordination of the Progressive Governors’ Forum leadership.
However, several governors reportedly became concerned over delays in disbursement and what they viewed as insufficient transparency regarding the funds.
Akande said it was at this point that AbdulRazaq, who currently chairs the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, privately confronted Uzodinma and demanded explanations.
“The question from Governor AbdulRazaq was straightforward—why is the money not getting to the states as expected?” Akande disclosed.
Although sources close to Uzodinma reportedly insisted that unresolved presidential directives and administrative considerations were responsible for the delay, Akande said some federal officials privately disputed that explanation.
The development, according to him, further deepened suspicion among governors and widened cracks within the progressive bloc.
Akande further revealed that Abiodun’s dissatisfaction with Uzodinma’s leadership had reportedly gone beyond verbal objections.
He disclosed that the Ogun governor had allegedly begun boycotting some meetings of the Progressive Governors’ Forum summoned by Uzodinma due to unresolved concerns over internal governance and decision-making.
The tension, according to Akande, eventually climaxed last Thursday when Abiodun reportedly convened a strategic meeting in Abuja that produced Peter Mbah as “new chairman” of the forum.
That move, however, was swiftly countered on Friday when another meeting presided over by Uzodinma reaffirmed him as chairman, with the forum’s secretariat backing the Imo governor’s continued leadership.
The parallel meetings have since exposed what Akande described as an unprecedented division among governors within the ruling political family.
Akande said multiple sources indicated that Abiodun may have the backing of influential figures within the Federal Government, including some political allies close to President Bola Tinubu.
From all indications, he noted, the President—who is currently outside the country—may ultimately have to intervene to restore order and unity among the governors.
“But what everyone seems to agree on,” Akande said, “is that the President is the one who will eventually resolve this clear division.”
Beyond the power struggle, Akande used the commentary to criticise what he described as the misplaced priorities of Nigeria’s political elite.
He lamented that while political heavyweights continue to engage in intense battles over positions, influence, and internal control, issues affecting ordinary Nigerians—including insecurity, poverty, terrorism, and economic hardship—remain inadequately addressed.
He cited the recent public clash between Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Edo State governor, Adams Oshiomhole, as another example of elite political rivalry dominating national discourse.
“They are fighting over who gets what in 2027,” Akande said.
“How I wish our political elites would engage in this level of serious political wrestling over the security and welfare of the Nigerian people—people who are living in multidimensional poverty, facing terrorism, banditry, and extreme violence.”
Akande’s revelations are likely to intensify conversations about internal cohesion within the ruling political establishment as preparations for the 2027 elections quietly gather momentum.