In a recent development, Mr Osita Okechukwu, a foundation member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has called on the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF) to consider the removal of the Imo State Governor, His Excellency, Hope Uzodimma, from his position as chairman. This call comes amidst concerns that Uzodimma's leadership could potentially lead to the party's downfall.
Okechukwu's appeal was triggered by the mishandling of the Edo State Gubernatorial Primary, which was chaired by Uzodimma. In a statement released in Abuja on Wednesday, Okechukwu expressed his disappointment at the outcome of the primary election, which resulted in the emergence of three candidates. He described this as a "sordid scenario not befitting of a progressive party."
He questioned the decision to entrust Uzodimma with another assignment following his mishandling of a similar task in Edo in 2020. He asked, "how many more malfeasance do we still expect from my big brother, before he is eased out of vital assignments?"
Okechukwu raised several critical questions, including how a chairman of the APC Governors Forum could "deliberately breach the extant laws by announcing result with impunity," disregarding the fact that it is the sole duty of the Returning Officer.
He further criticised Uzodimma for neglecting more pressing issues such as advising the President and other progressive governors on how to rescue Nigeria from its current economic predicament. Instead, he accused Uzodimma of meddling with political assignments, which he likened to "chasing rat while the house is on fire."
Okechukwu also expressed concern over the damage Uzodimma has done to the reputation of the national chairman of the APC, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, whom he claimed was misled into endorsing a cancelled primary election.
When reminded of his early support for Governor Uzodimma, Okechukwu admitted his error and expressed regret. He warned the Progressive Governors Forum to take necessary steps to prevent further damage, stating that "chameleon never changed its antics."
Okechukwu went on to recount the series of unfortunate events that have occurred under Uzodimma's leadership. He cited the Anambra State gubernatorial primary election and the party's Congressional elections in the Southeast zone in 2022 as examples of Uzodimma's mismanagement.
He concluded by highlighting the poor performance of the APC in the 2023 presidential election results in the Southeast, attributing it to Uzodimma's leadership. He stated, "The summary of Uzodimma’s woeful leadership is the 2023 presidential election results in the Southeast, which posted dismal outcomes: Abia- 8,914 against 85,058 in 2019, Anambra- 5,111 against 33,298 in 2019, Ebonyi-42,402 against 90,726 in 2019, Enugu- 4,722 against 54,423 in 2019 and Imo- 66,406 against 140,463 in 2019." Okechukwu concluded his statement with these sobering figures.