The senatorial ambition of Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, is generating tension within the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Party sources who spoke with The Nation said the controversy is linked to concerns that the governor may be attempting to hold two elective interests at the same time.
It was gathered that the tension over his reported senatorial aspiration contributed to the failed attempt to remove him as Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum on Thursday.
A highly placed source said some APC governors felt Uzodimma was overstretching his political influence.
The source said, “His fellow governors felt he was overstretching his luck. He is the Chairman of PGF; he is a sitting governor; the chairman of Renewed Hope Ambassadors, and he aspires to be a Senator to become the President of the 11th Senate.
“Most governors were angry with him, but they had to defer to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to avert his removal.”
Pressure Mounts On APC
It was learnt that pressure is mounting on the APC leadership to prevail on Uzodimma to choose between remaining governor and pursuing a Senate seat.
A source said, “Hope Uzodimma wants a senatorial seat before resigning as governor.”
The source further alleged that intelligence reports suggested political arrangements were being considered in Imo State ahead of the National Assembly elections.
“As of Friday, the intelligence report indicated that the Deputy Governor of Imo State had been forced to resign, and the letter was kept in view till after the National Assembly elections, when he (Uzodinma) would have emerged as senator.
“He will then put an amenable candidate in charge as the new governor and a relation as the new deputy governor,” the source claimed.
The source further alleged that the plan had been in the works for about a year.
“The plot has been on for a year when it was hatched in London with a former governor, who is now a senator,” the source said.
According to the source, the intelligence report also influenced recent moves by Senate President Godswill Akpabio to amend Senate rules.
“It was the intelligence report that made the President of the Senate, Sen. Godswill Akpabio, to push for changing the Senate Rules in an undemocratic and unpopular way.
“He couldn’t withstand the audacious ambition of Hope Uzodimma to be a Senator and the next President of the Senate,” the source added.