Uzodimma, Imo APC Fight Back As Court Orders INEC to Recognise Okorocha As APC Candidate,
By Reloaded News Desk
A Federal High Court in Abuja has nullified Governor Hope Uzodimma’s nomination as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Imo West Senatorial District in the 2027 elections, declaring former Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha the winner of the party’s May 18 primary.
Justice Obiora Egwuatu, delivering judgment on Thursday, October 29, ordered the APC to forward Okorocha’s name to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and directed the commission to publish him as the party’s candidate for the senatorial election scheduled for January 16, 2027.
The judge also ordered Uzodimma to stop presenting himself as the APC’s candidate for the district, following his finding that the evidence before the court showed that Okorocha secured the majority of votes cast in the primary.
APC rejects judgment, signals legal challenge
The ruling has been met with opposition from the APC’s Imo State chapter, which insists that Uzodimma remains its authentic candidate for the senatorial seat.
The party, in a statement by its state chairman, Austin Onyedebelu, questioned the judgment, raising concerns about constitutional compliance, judicial precedents and the evaluation of evidence presented before the court.
Separately, Imo State Commissioner for Information Declan Emelumba described the judgment as a “travesty of justice” and said the state government would approach the Court of Appeal to challenge the decision.
How the dispute began
The legal dispute arose from the APC primary conducted on May 18 to select its candidate for Imo West, also known as Orlu Senatorial District.
The party’s declared result recognised Uzodimma as the winner with 230,464 votes, while Okorocha was credited with 1,098 votes. Okorocha challenged the outcome, arguing that the result did not reflect the actual votes cast.
In suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1854/2026, filed against the relevant parties, he asked the court to review the nomination and determine whether INEC was bound by the reports of its officials who monitored the primary.
The APC, Uzodimma and INEC opposed the suit, disputing Okorocha’s claims and defending the result submitted to the electoral commission. The court ultimately ruled in Okorocha’s favour.
What happens next?
The judgment sets up a further legal and political contest over the APC’s nomination for Imo West. The party’s stated intention to challenge the ruling means the dispute may continue before the appellate courts.
Okorocha served as Imo State governor from 2011 to 2019 and represented Imo West in the Senate from 2019 to 2023. Uzodimma is currently serving as governor of Imo State.
The implementation of the court’s orders and any subsequent appeal will be central to determining the party’s candidate for the January 2027 senatorial election.
Reloaded News — NEWS THAT INFORMS. MEDIA THAT TRANSFORMS
