Uba Sani, governor of Kaduna state, says the recent crisis within the Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF) was only a “slight misunderstanding”.
Sani spoke on Monday during an appearance on Politics Today, a Channels Television programme.
Last week, there were reports that Hope Uzodimma, Imo governor, had been removed as chairman of the PGF and replaced by Peter Mbah, governor of Enugu, after a tense meeting in Abuja.
Afterwards, news made the round that the APC governors’ forum had been splintered into two camps.
Uzodimma had insisted that he remained chairman of the forum, while another bloc was reportedly aligned with Dapo Abiodun, governor of Ogun state, and Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, governor of Kwara state.
However, governors loyal to Uzodimma later passed a vote of confidence in him during a meeting at the Imo state lodge in Abuja.
President Bola Tinubu was also said to have waded into the crisis.
Sani, who serves as vice-chairman of the forum, said the disagreement among the governors has now been resolved.
“In my own opinion, I don’t think it’s a serious issue, like many people try to make it look like it’s a very serious issue,” he said.
“Because, you know, in everything we are talking about democracy, people can choose to disagree and agree. So, in my own opinion, it was just a slight misunderstanding.
“At the moment, there’s no problem. All the governors are together. His Excellency Hope Uzodimma is the chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum. My humble self, Senator Uba Sani, is the vice chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum.”
The Kaduna governor also said there was no leadership change in the forum.
“I don’t think you will hear anything again. I can assure you, nothing will ever — you can’t hear anything again,” he said.
Asked about the disagreement within the forum, Sani said differences among political actors were not unusual.
“It’s normal to disagree. But like I said, my point is clear. You will never hear anything,” he added.
“It’s just a slight disagreement, not a serious issue, but a slight disagreement. But it has been resolved.”
Sani said if there had been any leadership change in the forum, he would have assumed office as chairman in his capacity as deputy chairman.
“And of course, if there’s any change of leadership sitting here as the vice chairman, I could have taken over,” he said.
“But I can tell you, you see, I was there. And I was the one who made that statement, clear that we are united. Everything is okay.”