Former Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha has celebrated a Federal High Court judgment in his dispute with Governor Hope Uzodimma over the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial ticket for Imo West, describing the decision as a victory for democracy, the judiciary and the Nigerian Constitution.
Okorocha expressed satisfaction after the court ruled in his favour in the dispute over the party’s candidate for the Imo West Senatorial District in the 2027 general elections.
The former governor had approached the court to challenge the APC’s recognition of Uzodimma as the winner of the party’s senatorial primary conducted on May 18, 2026.
The primary had produced conflicting claims, with the party recognising Uzodimma as its candidate, while Okorocha maintained that he was the rightful winner and should be nominated to contest the election.
In its judgment delivered on Thursday in Abuja, the Federal High Court, presided over by Justice Obiora Egwuatu, held that Okorocha was the lawful winner of the primary.
The court consequently ordered the APC to submit Okorocha’s name to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as its candidate for the senatorial district.
Justice Egwuatu also directed INEC to publish Okorocha’s name and restrained Uzodimma from continuing to present himself as the APC’s candidate for the January 16, 2027 senatorial election.
The ruling followed a suit in which Okorocha questioned the validity of Uzodimma’s nomination and raised concerns about his eligibility to contest the senatorial election while still serving as governor, whose tenure is expected to end in January 2028.
Okorocha commends judiciary, Tinubu
Reacting to the judgment in a statement issued on Thursday through his Special Adviser on Media, Sam Onwuemodo, Okorocha described the decision as a landmark development in Nigeria’s democratic process.
He thanked President Bola Tinubu for what he described as providing an enabling environment for the judiciary and other institutions to function in the interest of national development.
The former governor also commended the APC leadership for allowing party members to pursue their political ambitions and exercise their constitutional rights.
Okorocha expressed appreciation to the people of Imo State, particularly residents of Imo West Senatorial District, for their prayers, encouragement and support throughout the legal battle.
He also acknowledged Uzodimma’s participation in the court proceedings, describing the case as part of a significant moment in the political history of the state.
According to Okorocha, the judgment went beyond his personal ambition, representing a broader affirmation of the judiciary’s role in resolving political disputes and upholding the law.
“This judgment, to say the least, is a resounding victory for the nation’s judiciary. It is a victory for the nation’s fast-growing democracy. It is an outstanding victory for the nation’s Constitution, as amended,” he said.
He added that the ruling was a victory for those who believe in justice and fairness, as well as for the people of Imo State and Imo West Senatorial District in particular.
Legal battle over APC ticket
The dispute arose after the APC recognised Uzodimma as the winner of the senatorial primary, a decision Okorocha challenged in court.
In his suit, the former governor sought to establish that he had won the party’s primary and that the decision to recognise Uzodimma as its candidate was unlawful.
The court’s ruling has now placed Okorocha in a position to be recognised as the party’s candidate, subject to any further legal developments.
The decision also introduces fresh uncertainty into the APC’s preparations for the Imo West senatorial contest, given the political significance of the disagreement between the two prominent figures in Imo State.
Uzodimma and the APC had maintained their position regarding the primary’s outcome during the legal proceedings. The ruling, however, directed the party and INEC to recognise Okorocha in line with the court’s findings.
The case is expected to remain a major political development ahead of the 2027 general elections, particularly as the party considers its response to the judgment.
For Okorocha, the decision represents a major breakthrough in his bid to return to the Senate, having previously represented Imo West Senatorial District from 2019 to 2023.
The broader implications will depend on how the APC and other parties to the case respond to the court’s orders and whether further legal action follows.
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