A political group known as the North-East Forum has declared support for the Governor of Imo State and Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum, PGF, Senator Hope Uzodinma, over his role in the mobilisation and strengthening of the All Progressives Congress, APC, ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a statement issued to journalists and signed by its Secretary, Alhaji Mala Suleiman, the forum said Governor Uzodinma has shown strong commitment to fostering cooperation among APC stakeholders and promoting the party’s programmes nationwide.
The statement comes at a time of increased political activities ahead of the 2027 elections, following recent public exchanges involving Governor Uzodinma and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
Wike had accused Uzodinma and Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, of working against him politically, citing differences over political developments and his efforts to mobilise support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid.
Reacting to the development, the North-East Forum said its position was informed by what it described as Uzodinma’s contributions to political engagement, party cohesion, and stakeholder mobilisation.
Governor Uzodinma currently serves as Chairman of the PGF, the platform through which APC governors coordinate on party and governance issues. His continued leadership of the forum was reaffirmed earlier this year after reports claiming his removal were dismissed by the PGF as false.
The Imo State Governor has also taken on a key role in the APC’s 2027 mobilisation structure. In August, the APC Presidential Campaign Council named former Zamfara State Governor, Abdulaziz Yari, as Director-General, while Uzodinma was appointed Secretary of the council.
According to the North-East Forum, Uzodinma’s involvement in national political coordination highlights the need for bridge-building across Nigeria’s geopolitical zones.
The forum urged APC stakeholders in the North-East to stay focused on critical issues such as development, security, economic opportunities, and political stability, rather than being distracted by disagreements among individual politicians.
It further called for constructive engagement among political leaders, noting that while disagreements are normal in a democracy, they should not threaten national unity.
The group recalled that in recent months, Uzodinma has participated actively in APC mobilisation efforts. At a South-South Strategic Communications and Mobilisation Summit held in Asaba, he emphasized unity of purpose, a common message, and coordinated grassroots mobilisation, stressing the need for effective communication of government policies and reforms to citizens at the grassroots.
The governor has also publicly defended the economic reforms of the Tinubu administration, including fuel subsidy removal and foreign exchange reforms, which he said were aimed at fixing long-standing structural challenges in the economy.
The North-East Forum clarified that its statement should be seen as an expression of support for Uzodinma’s political engagement and not as a call for confrontation with any individual or group.
It appealed to political leaders across the country to embrace dialogue and issue-based engagement as preparations for the 2027 elections gain momentum.
