Follow Us on Google
By Chinelo Obogo
The Governor of Imo State and Chairman of the Progressives Governors Forum (PGF), Hope Uzodimma, has said that the All Progressives Congress (APC) will not be re-zoning its national elective offices ahead of the party’s upcoming convention in Abuja.
Uzodinma, who addressed journalists on behalf of APC governors at the close of a Progressives Governors Forum meeting held in Lagos on Sunday, which extendied into the early hours of Monday, stated that the existing zoning arrangements will remain.
“We are not re-zoning. The offices are already zoned. The President is still in office. The Vice President is still in office. It goes without saying that under the Electoral Act, the positions will remain where they are,” he said.
The Imo governor also clarified the purpose of the forthcoming national convention, dismissing speculation that it would serve as a platform for conducting primaries for elective offices. He explained that the convention is solely aimed at electing national party officers.
“This particular convention is not for primaries. The primaries for elective positions will be conducted by INEC. This convention is for party officers who will run our party,” Uzodimma stated.
The APC national convention is scheduled to hold in Abuja on Saturday where new national party officers that would oversee the party’s preparations for the 2027 general elections will be elected.
Other News
On the potential economic impact of the escalating conflict in the Middle East involving the United States, Iran and Israel, Uzodimma said Nigerians should remain calm and cautioned against panic buying and price hikes.
He said the conflict in the Gulf could heighten inflationary pressures through disruptions in global energy and supply chains, with direct implications for household welfare and production costs.
In response, he said the PGF resolved to deepen collaboration across food production, MSME support, youth enterprise, and targeted social interventions. The states also agreed to expand palliative measures and support programmes for vulnerable citizens, aiming to cushion the likely effects of inflation while ensuring that economic adjustments are accompanied by social justice and practical relief.
“It is anticipated that the situation in the Middle East is capable of creating inflation. It has not yet started to occur, but people are in a panic and are beginning to raise prices, unnecessarily increasing the cost of living for our people. The government will take deliberate steps to ensure that such situations are avoided,” he said.
On the issue of security he said: “This remains the first condition of development. The Forum commended Mr. President’s resolve to confront insecurity through stronger national coordination, international collaboration, and institutional reform, and welcomed his commitment to deepen engagement with friendly countries in pursuit of joint solutions to security and other development-related matters. The Forum called for sustained investment in intelligence, coordination, technology, border vigilance, and community-based early warning systems. Members also emphasised that enduring peace requires not only force of law, but also trust in institutions, opportunity for young people, and a social ethic that rejects violence as a means of grievance.”
At the meeting were Governors Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos State), Bassey Otu (Cross River), Mai Mala Buni (Yobe), Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta), Lucky Aiyedatiwa (Ondo), Agbo Kefas (Taraba), Umo Eno (Awka Ibom), AbdulRaman AbdulRazaq (Kwara), Ahmadu Sule (Nasarawa), Siminalayi Fubara (Fubara), Usman Ododo (Kwara), Francis Nwifuru (Ebonyi), Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau), Abba Yusuf (Kano), Umaru Bago (Niger), Peter Mbah (Enugu), Monday Okpebholo (Edo), Douye Diri (Bayelsa), Dikko Raddah (Katsina), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun),
