The Federal High Court in Abuja has made a significant ruling in the dispute over the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial candidate for Imo West Senatorial District. On Thursday, Justice Obiora Egwuatu declared that former Imo Governor Rochas Okorocha won the party's primary election held on May 18. The court's decision has been seen as a major blow to Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma, who was recognized as the winner of the primary by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Okorocha had approached the court to challenge INEC's recognition of Uzodinma as the winner of the primary, arguing that the electoral commission's monitoring reports supported his claim to victory. The former governor claimed that he secured 150,780 votes against Uzodinma's 102,158. However, Uzodinma, the APC, and INEC disputed Okorocha's account of the election, with Uzodinma's representative claiming that the governor won with 230,464 votes, while Okorocha scored 1,098.
The court ultimately ruled in favor of Okorocha, ordering the APC to submit his name to INEC as its candidate for the senatorial district. The court also restrained Uzodinma from parading himself as the party's flagbearer. The decision comes as a significant development in the dispute over who should represent the APC in the senatorial contest in 2027.
Uzodinma, the APC, and INEC had urged the court to dismiss Okorocha's suit, arguing that it was filed outside the 14-day statutory period. However, the court rejected this argument and proceeded to make a ruling on the matter. The court's decision has been seen as a major victory for Okorocha, who represented Imo West in the Senate from 2019 to 2023.
The Imo West Senatorial District is one of the key constituencies in Imo State, and the APC's candidate is expected to play a significant role in the 2027 elections. Okorocha's victory in the court is likely to have significant implications for the APC's chances in the senatorial contest. The party is yet to comment on the court's decision.
INEC had maintained that its officials monitored the primary and reported Uzodinma as the winner. The commission said it received no complaint from any aspirant over the exercise. However, the court's ruling has now declared Okorocha as the winner of the primary, and INEC is expected to take steps to recognize him as the APC's candidate.
The court's decision is a significant development in the lead-up to the 2027 elections in Imo State. Okorocha's victory is likely to have significant implications for the APC's chances in the senatorial contest, and the party is expected to rally behind him as its candidate.
Key points
- The Federal High Court in Abuja has declared Rochas Okorocha as the winner of the APC primary election for Imo West Senatorial District.
- The court's decision nullifies Hope Uzodinma's nomination as the APC candidate for the senatorial district.
- Okorocha is expected to be submitted to INEC as the APC's candidate for the senatorial district.
