The Federal High Court in Abuja has reportedly rejected Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma’s emergence as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the Imo West Senatorial District election, declaring former governor Rochas Okorocha the party’s flagbearer.
The judgment, delivered on Thursday by Justice Obiora Egwuatu, followed a legal dispute over the APC senatorial primary conducted on May 18, 2026, ahead of the 2027 general elections.
According to reports of the judgment, the court held that the evidence presented before it established that Okorocha secured the highest number of votes in the primary and was therefore entitled to the party’s ticket.
The court consequently directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise Okorocha as the APC’s duly nominated candidate and publish his name for the forthcoming senatorial election.
Justice Egwuatu also reportedly restrained Uzodimma from presenting himself as the APC candidate for the Imo West senatorial seat.
Dispute Over APC Primary Results
The legal battle followed a disagreement over the outcome of the party’s primary, with Okorocha challenging Uzodimma’s emergence as the candidate.
The former governor argued that he won the exercise and that INEC should have recognised the results recorded by officials who monitored the primary.
He approached the court to challenge the recognition of Uzodimma and sought an order compelling the electoral commission to publish his name as the APC candidate.
However, Uzodimma, the APC and INEC opposed the suit, disputing Okorocha’s claims.
The governor and the party also argued that the case was filed outside the constitutionally prescribed 14-day period for challenging pre-election matters and should therefore be dismissed.
INEC maintained in its court filings that the report submitted by its officials indicated that Uzodimma won the primary. The commission also disputed some of the documents Okorocha presented in support of his case.
Implications for Uzodimma and Okorocha
The reported judgment marks a significant development in the contest for the APC’s Imo West senatorial ticket, placing Okorocha in line to represent the party in the 2027 election.
The ruling also challenges Uzodimma’s bid for the senatorial seat, although any further legal proceedings could affect the final outcome of the nomination dispute.
Uzodimma is currently serving as governor of Imo State, a position he is expected to hold until 2028, subject to constitutional provisions and any relevant developments.
The case has drawn attention because it involves two prominent figures in Imo politics and a dispute over the APC’s choice of candidate for the Senate.
The reported decision concerns the party’s nomination for the Imo West senatorial seat. It does not remove Uzodimma from his position as governor of Imo State.
The full judgment and any subsequent appeal should be checked against official court records before publication.
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