Party insiders who spoke to The Nation claimed the controversy stems from concerns that the governor may be pursuing multiple political ambitions simultaneously.

It was further gathered that the situation contributed to the failed move on Thursday to remove him as Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum.

A senior party source alleged that some APC governors believe Uzodimma is expanding his political influence too aggressively.

According to the source, “His colleagues feel he is overstretching his political reach. He is the PGF Chairman, a sitting governor, head of Renewed Hope Ambassadors, and is also eyeing a Senate seat with the ambition of eventually becoming Senate President.”

The source added that while many governors were reportedly displeased, they had to defer to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to prevent his removal.

Meanwhile, pressure is said to be mounting within the APC for Uzodimma to clarify whether he intends to remain governor or contest for the Senate.

Another source alleged that political calculations are already underway in Imo State ahead of the National Assembly elections.

It was claimed that arrangements may have been made regarding leadership succession in the state, including alleged pressure on the deputy governor to step aside pending the elections.

The source further alleged that there are plans to install a preferred successor as governor and a relative as deputy if Uzodimma succeeds in moving to the Senate.

According to the claim, the alleged political strategy has been in discussion for about a year and was reportedly conceived during meetings abroad involving a former governor now serving as senator.

The source also linked the development to recent attempts to adjust Senate rules, suggesting it may be connected to concerns within the upper chamber about Uzodimma’s alleged political influence and future ambitions.

reports that FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, confirmed the development in an update released on Sunday.

She stated that the reality TV star and her siblings were rescued after the weekend incident and immediately taken for medical attention.

According to Adeh, “Following the rescue of Ms. Ilebaye Odiniya Emmanuel (27 years) and her two brothers, Godson Emmanuel Odiniya (14 years) and Devin Emmanuel Odiniya (10 years), they were rushed to Yabisam Hospital, Lugbe, alongside their father, who also sustained injuries during the confrontation, by the Area Commander Metro, ACP Ufomadu Georglyn.”

She further confirmed that the siblings are now under police protection.

“The rescued siblings are currently in police protective custody, contrary to circulating reports online, while their father, who is also receiving medical care, remains in Police custody,” she added.

Adeh also noted that investigations into the incident are ongoing, and formal questioning will begin once all parties are certified medically fit.

The development followed the arrest of Emmanuel Odiniya after he was accused of assaulting his daughter at their residence in Royal Anchor Estate, Wuye, Abuja.

The case gained widespread attention after a viral video showed Ilebaye in tears with visible facial injuries while seeking help during the incident.

Police spokesperson Adeh said officers responded to a distress call received in the early hours of Friday regarding an ongoing domestic assault.

She explained that operatives from the Wuye Division and the Department of Operations were deployed immediately to the scene.

According to her, officers initially faced difficulty accessing the residence as the gate was locked, but entry was eventually forced around 2:30 a.m. once the situation was confirmed.

She added that Ilebaye was found with visible bruises and was rescued alongside her siblings before being taken for medical treatment at NNPC Hospital, Abuja.

The father remains in custody as investigations continue to determine the circumstances surrounding the altercation.

Meanwhile, the children’s mother, Mrs. Lami Odiniya, reportedly said the incident began when Ilebaye visited the family home to see her younger brothers and discuss plans for her birthday.

She claimed the disagreement escalated after the father allegedly accused the reality star of being influenced by her mother.

The situation has reignited public attention on the family’s long-standing domestic dispute following the breakdown of their 32-year marriage, with custody of the children previously granted to the father by a court.

Reports indicate that the recovered cars—including Lamborghini, Rolls-Royce, Mercedes-Benz, and other high-end models—were officially transferred to Canadian authorities during a handover ceremony at the port on Monday, May 4, 2026.

The Deputy High Commissioner of Canada to Nigeria, Nasser Salihou, received the vehicles on behalf of his government from the Customs Area Controller of the Tin Can Island Command, Comptroller Frank Onyeka.

In a statement released on Sunday, the National Public Relations Officer of the NCS, Abdullahi Maiwada, said the operation followed months of intelligence sharing between Nigerian authorities and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

According to the statement, Canadian investigators had traced several stolen luxury vehicles that were illegally shipped out of Canada through international trafficking networks before eventually arriving in Nigeria.

Internal Customs records dated May 5, 2026, listed the intercepted vehicles as including a 2019 Lexus RX350, 2019 Mercedes-Benz G550, 2023 Range Rover, 2019 Lamborghini Huracán, 2021 Rolls-Royce Dawn Convertible, 2018 Lamborghini Aventador, and a 2026 Toyota Tundra.

The statement added that the recovery reflects growing collaboration between Nigeria and Canada in tackling transnational vehicle theft and smuggling operations.

Speaking at the handover ceremony, Comptroller Frank Onyeka revealed that one of the vehicles, a Toyota Tacoma, was discovered hidden inside a container alongside other automobiles before it was intercepted by Customs officers.

He explained that the container had not yet left Customs control when intelligence from Canadian authorities prompted immediate enforcement action.

According to him, the vehicle was placed under strict surveillance until its status was confirmed through international verification channels.

Onyeka noted that Customs officials deliberately delayed the release of the shipment to ensure it was handed directly to Canadian authorities for proper identification and recovery.

He described the operation as evidence of Nigeria Customs’ strengthened capacity to detect and disrupt international organised crime involving stolen assets.

He further stated that criminal networks are increasingly using global shipping routes to move stolen luxury vehicles under the guise of legitimate cargo.

The Customs Service added that the operation highlights enhanced cooperation between Nigeria and Canada in intelligence sharing, cargo monitoring, and maritime enforcement aimed at curbing cross-border criminal activities.

Tin Can Island Port, one of Nigeria’s busiest import hubs, continues to play a central role in vehicle and container traffic entering the country.