A Federal High Court in Abuja has ruled in favor of former Imo State governor, Rochas Okorocha, declaring him the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the Imo West Senatorial District in the 2027 general election. The court, presided over by Justice Obiora Egwuatu, ordered Governor Hope Uzodimma to stop presenting himself as the party's candidate for the senatorial district. This decision was made after Okorocha challenged Uzodimma's recognition as the APC candidate, citing electoral irregularities during the party's senatorial primary.
Okorocha expressed his appreciation to the judiciary, stating that justice has finally prevailed. He alleged that the circumstances surrounding the senatorial primary reflected electoral irregularities, citing an instance where one person wrote more than 300 results, causing someone who came fourth to become number one. Okorocha commended the judiciary for its commitment to justice and urged his supporters in Imo West to remain calm and celebrate the outcome of the case. The former governor's reaction came after the court's judgment on Thursday.
However, the APC in Imo State has rejected the reported judgment's implications, insisting that Uzodimma remains its candidate for the senatorial district. In a statement signed by its State Publicity Secretary, Onwuasoanya FCC Jones, the party maintained that Uzodimma won its senatorial primary and secured the ticket with the support of party members. The party emphasized that Uzodimma's candidacy was not in dispute, despite the court's ruling.
The APC in Imo State also stated that its legal department would review the court's decision before determining its next course of action. The party's statement read: "The party's legal department shall study the outcome of a legal intervention in this matter and act accordingly." This indicates that the party is not ready to concede and will explore its options to challenge the court's ruling.
The legal dispute began with a suit filed by Okorocha challenging Uzodimma's recognition as the APC candidate for the 2027 Imo West senatorial election. The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1854/2026, listed INEC, Uzodimma, and the APC as respondents. Okorocha argued that he won the party's May 18, 2026, senatorial primary and that recognizing Uzodimma as the candidate was unlawful.
According to an affidavit attached to the suit, Okorocha secured 150,780 votes, while Uzodimma polled 102,158 votes during the primary. However, Williams Kayode, chairman and returning officer of the APC's 2026 Imo National Assembly Primary Election Committee, had declared Uzodimma the winner with 230,464 votes. Okorocha also challenged Uzodimma's eligibility to contest the election while serving as governor, citing Section 183 of the 1999 Constitution.
The court's ruling has significant implications for the 2027 general election, particularly in the Imo West Senatorial District. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has been directed to publish Okorocha's name as the party's candidate. With the next National Assembly scheduled to be inaugurated in June 2027, the APC's internal dispute may have far-reaching consequences for the party's fortunes in Imo State.
Key points
- The Federal High Court in Abuja has declared Rochas Okorocha the APC candidate for Imo West Senatorial District.
- The court ordered Hope Uzodimma to stop presenting himself as the party's candidate, citing electoral irregularities.
- The APC in Imo State has rejected the judgment, insisting that Uzodimma remains its candidate for the senatorial district.
