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‘Removing Uzodimma Will Cost APC the South-East’ — Youth Leader Warns Governors Ahead of 2027
By Anayo Lazarus Anayo
E-ISSN:2354-4481
ENUGU — Prominent Igbo youth leader and Chairman of the Southern Nigeria Ethnic Youth Leaders Forum, Arthur Obiora, has urged governors of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to shelve any move aimed at removing Hope Uzodimma as chairman of the party’s governors’ forum, stressing the need for unity as preparations for the 2027 general elections gather momentum.
Obiora, a former Ohanaeze youth leader, described Governor Uzodimma as a committed party stakeholder who has made significant contributions to the APC’s growth and consolidation. He advised party leaders to resolve any internal disagreements through dialogue and consensus rather than actions that could deepen divisions within the party.
The youth leader further praised Uzodimma’s engagement with young people across the region, noting that the governor has played an active role in mobilising grassroots support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the APC. According to him, any attempt to remove the Imo governor from a prominent leadership position could generate unnecessary political tensions within the party.
Obiora argued that Governor Uzodimma remains one of the APC’s most influential voices in the South-East and has consistently championed the party’s interests in the region. He warned that sidelining the governor could create perceptions of regional exclusion and weaken the APC’s political standing in the zone ahead of future elections.
He described reported efforts to replace Uzodimma as politically risky, contending that such a move could undermine ongoing efforts to strengthen support for President Tinubu’s re-election project. According to him, the governor has been instrumental in expanding the party’s presence in the South-East and fostering closer engagement between the region and the federal administration.
Addressing allegations concerning an alleged missing N800 billion, Obiora dismissed the claims as unsubstantiated and lacking credible evidence. He maintained that the allegations appeared designed to create discord among party stakeholders and distract attention from the APC’s political objectives.
The youth leader also alleged that some individuals seeking leadership changes within the party may be motivated by personal political ambitions. He claimed that certain actors were attempting to gain greater influence over political structures associated with President Tinubu’s re-election efforts.
According to Obiora, efforts to diminish Uzodimma’s influence could have broader consequences for the APC’s fortunes in the South-East. He argued that the governor has played a central role in attracting support for the party across the region and remains an important link between the South-East and the party’s national leadership.
He further stated that Governor Uzodimma has consistently advocated for the interests of the South-East within national policy discussions, particularly on issues relating to infrastructure development, federal appointments, and equitable resource allocation. Such representation, he noted, contributes to the region’s sense of inclusion in national governance.
Obiora warned that any action perceived as targeting the governor could alienate party supporters who joined the APC through his political network and leadership. He stressed the importance of maintaining internal cohesion and ensuring that all regions feel adequately represented within the party’s leadership structure.
He also argued that corruption allegations made without supporting evidence could negatively affect public perception of both the APC and the federal government. According to him, such claims risk damaging the reputation of the party and its leadership at a time when unity remains crucial ahead of the next electoral cycle.
Concluding, Obiora maintained that disagreements within the APC should be resolved through constructive engagement rather than public confrontation, urging party leaders to prioritise unity, inclusiveness, and collective political objectives as preparations for the 2027 elections continue.
