The Imo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has vowed to explore legal options following a Federal High Court judgment declaring former Governor Rochas Okorocha the party’s candidate for the Imo West Senatorial District in the 2027 elections.
Despite the ruling, the party insists that Governor Hope Uzodimma remains its candidate for the senatorial seat, setting the stage for a fresh legal battle over the party’s nomination.
In a judgment delivered on Thursday, October 29, 2026, Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court in Abuja held that evidence before the court established that Okorocha won the APC senatorial primary conducted on May 18, 2026.
The judge consequently ordered the party to submit Okorocha’s name to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and directed the commission to publish his name as the APC candidate for the election scheduled for January 16, 2027.
The court also ordered Uzodimma to stop presenting himself as the party’s candidate for the Imo West Senatorial District.
However, the Imo APC has rejected the reported change in its candidate, maintaining that Uzodimma won the primary with overwhelming support from party members.
In a statement issued by its State Publicity Secretary, Onwuasoanya FCC Jones, the party described reports of a change in its senatorial candidate as unverified and reaffirmed its support for the governor.
The party added that its legal department would study the court’s judgment and determine the appropriate course of action.
The dispute stems from conflicting accounts of the APC primary. The party’s returning officer had announced Uzodimma as the winner with 230,464 votes, while Okorocha was credited with 1,098 votes in the official result reported by INEC.
Dissatisfied with the outcome, Okorocha approached the court to challenge Uzodimma’s recognition as the party’s candidate, arguing that the evidence from the primary monitored by INEC supported his claim to victory.
The court’s ruling has intensified the political contest within the Imo APC, with the party’s position now at odds with the judgment.
Whether the APC will formally appeal the decision or pursue other legal options remains to be seen. The dispute could have significant implications for the party’s preparations for the 2027 senatorial election.
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