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Ahead of the ward congresses of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), governors have commenced a covert move to take total control of the party’s structures nationwide.

The move, it was gathered, is aimed at laying a solid foundation for the control of the party machinery preparatory to the installation of the chairman of the Progressives Governors Forum and Imo State governor, Hope Uzodimma, as the next President of the 11th Senate of the Federal Republic.

Their objective, it was gathered, is the control of the 11th Senate upon its inauguration in June 2027.

Uzodimma, who was elected to a second term in office in November 2023, it was learnt, plans to pick the senatorial nomination form as a sitting governor, since the law does not bar him from contesting any position while in office.

The source, who said deliberations on the plan were still unfolding, stated that the option available to the governor is to resign as governor and focus on securing the Senate presidency with the backing of his colleagues if he wins the senatorial race.

The source, however, noted that the plan will depend largely on the president’s endorsement and on allowing the governors to determine the leadership of the next National Assembly.

But Uzodimma, in response to inquiries from LEADERSHIP, said that although he was not aware of the moves by his colleagues, he received the prophecy of becoming the next Senate President with an open mind.

Reacting through the Chief Press Secretary/Special Adviser on Media, Hon. Oguwike Nwachuku, the Imo governor said the move by his colleagues shows the cordial relationship that exists within their fold.

Recall that Uzodimma, on return to the Senate, would be regarded as a ranking senator, having served from 2011 to 2019 before contesting and winning the governorship seat.

Since 2007, the Senate has become the next political destination of governors who have served out their constitutionally required eight-year tenure.

However, a credible presidential source confided in LEADERSHIP that the move was “a way of having a subtle inroad to prepare the ground for their chairman. Most outgoing governors who are serving their second and final terms have secured an understanding with the national leadership of the party and even Mr President to go to the Senate.”

However, as of the time of going to press, it could not be independently confirmed whether President Bola Tinubu had okayed the APC governors’ move to largely decide the National Assembly candidates that will emerge from their states.

The source continued, “For the Imo governor, he is not the one bent on getting there, but his colleagues are the ones encouraging him to do so and they are not relenting; they are pressing hard and using proxies to mount pressure on Mr President and even the national leadership of the party to allow them (governors) to have an unfettered privilege to handpick their preferred choices for both Senate and House of Representatives leadership.

“For now, no one is sure of the exact direction, but it appears they have some issues along the line because they have been told that National Assembly members will work directly with Mr President and that they should focus on their State Assemblies.

“It’s not as if Mr President does not have a good working relationship with them, but you know that in politics, there is no finality on any issue because we had a terrible experience during the Tax Reforms Bills where governors, especially many from a section of the country, dictated to their National Assembly members where to stand. So taking such a risk of handing over the National Assembly tickets to the governors to decide is out of it,” the source said.

I received the Senate President’s prophecy – Uzodimma

Reacting through his media adviser, Nwachuku, the governor said he was not aware that APC governors were rooting for him to be Senate President after his tenure as governor ended.

He said, “You have just informed me; however, I receive this prophecy with an open mind. This is good tidings. If my colleagues are thinking about me in this respect, this goes to show the level of cordial relationship among us, and I commend their sense of reasoning.”

The governor added, “The feelings are relative; everyone feels elated when mentioned in a good light.”

Reacting to claims by governors that they are hijacking the party, Uzodimma said the APC is about to kick-start the process of party congresses and primaries, stressing that the focus is on conducting credible and transparent exercises.

The governor said he is not aware that the process has been hijacked by governors, adding that the APC is a disciplined party with rules and regulations.

“We are working assiduously for credible and transparent primaries and congresses. When we get to the bridge, we will cross it,” he said.

Leadership