A Federal High Court in Abuja has nullified the recognition of Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the Imo West Senatorial District in the 2027 general elections. The court ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to restore the name of former governor Rochas Okorocha. This decision was made by Justice Obiora Egwuatu, who also restrained Uzodimma from presenting himself as the party's candidate for the January 16, 2027 senatorial election.
According to the court, Uzodimma's nomination violated Sections 29 and 32 of the Electoral Act and failed to comply with the APC's guidelines for conducting primaries. The judge described it as unlawful and fraudulent for the party to forward Uzodimma's name to INEC as winner of a primary he did not win. The court also faulted INEC for accepting Uzodimma's nomination despite overwhelming documentary evidence that he was not the lawful winner.
The case arose from conflicting claims over the outcome of the primary. INEC recognised Uzodimma as winner, maintaining that official results showed he polled 230,464 votes against Okorocha's 1,098. However, a separate document later circulated, purporting to show that Okorocha won with 150,780 votes. Okorocha then filed a suit challenging the outcome and INEC's recognition of Uzodimma.
Justice Egwuatu pointed to contradictions in the accounts given by APC officials on how the primary was conducted. One document indicated that Option A4 was used; another, from a member of the party's National Working Committee (NWC), claimed a consensus arrangement produced Uzodimma; while a third, from a different NWC member, said a direct primary was held. The judge described the discrepancies as significant.
The judge questioned the authenticity and consistency of the documents the APC tendered to justify Uzodimma's nomination. He said majority of the documents tendered by APC to support Uzodimma's nomination contradicted each other, indicating that they were clearly fabricated. The court could not ascribe probative value to them. In contrast, documents signed, certified and released to Okorocha showed that he secured the majority of lawful votes cast.
Okorocha's counsel, O.J. Aboje, said the judgment vindicated his client, who had been accused in the media of forging results. Okorocha's son and Special Adviser on Political Matters, Amen Rochas, commended the judiciary for standing firm despite attempts to arm-twist the courts with fake news. He also praised his father for staying focused on President Bola Tinubu's campaign despite the pressure arising from the dispute.
The court ordered INEC to replace Uzodimma's name with Okorocha's as the APC candidate. The commission was also ordered to publish Okorocha's name as the lawful winner of the primary election. The judgment brings an end to the dispute over the Imo West APC primary, with Okorocha now set to participate in the 2027 senatorial election.
Key points
- The Federal High Court in Abuja declared Rochas Okorocha the winner of the Imo West APC primary.
- The court nullified Hope Uzodimma's candidacy, citing irregularities in his nomination.
- INEC was ordered to restore Okorocha's name as the APC candidate for the Imo West Senatorial District.
