Former Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, has insisted that he remains the dominant political figure in the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Imo State, dismissing suggestions that he has lost control of the party’s structure to Governor Hope Uzodimma and his allies.
Okorocha made the declaration during an interview on Arise Television’s Prime Time, where he defended his influence within the ruling party and maintained that his contributions to its establishment in the state could not be ignored.
According to the former governor, he played a foundational role in building the APC in Imo State and remains confident that a significant portion of the party’s support base is still behind him.
He argued that those claiming to control the party’s structure were attempting to sideline him, but maintained that their efforts would not erase his political legacy.
“I remain the dominant APC figure in Imo State. Nobody can take my place,” Okorocha said, insisting that his involvement in the party’s formation gave him a strong claim to its political identity in the state.
Dispute Over Imo APC Leadership
Okorocha’s remarks come amid an intensifying disagreement between him and Uzodimma over the leadership structure of the APC in Imo State, particularly as political activities gather momentum ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The former governor accused individuals loyal to Uzodimma of attempting to take control of the party’s machinery through propaganda and the establishment of rival structures.
He questioned the legitimacy of those claiming to lead the party, arguing that no valid congress had been conducted to establish their authority.
Okorocha maintained that the party’s grassroots support and political organisation in Imo remained connected to him, despite the disagreement with the incumbent governor.
However, his assertions reflect his own position in the ongoing political dispute, with competing interests within the APC continuing to contest influence in the state.
Court Ruling Intensifies Political Tension
The disagreement has been further heightened by a Federal High Court judgment concerning the APC’s Imo West Senatorial District ticket for the 2027 elections.
The court ruled in Okorocha’s favour, declaring him the winner of the party’s senatorial primary and directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise him as the party’s candidate.
The judgment also restrained Uzodimma from presenting himself as the APC’s senatorial candidate for the district.
The ruling followed a legal challenge by Okorocha, who disputed the party’s recognition of Uzodimma as the winner of the primary.
The outcome represents a significant development in the political contest between the two men, although further legal proceedings could affect the final resolution of the dispute.
Okorocha Confident of His Political Standing
Despite the tensions, Okorocha expressed confidence in his standing among APC members and the people of Imo State.
He suggested that his political relevance could not be determined solely by the positions held by individuals within the state government, arguing that genuine influence depended on grassroots support and the party’s relationship with voters.
The former governor also dismissed suggestions that rival groups could easily displace him from the party’s political structure, maintaining that the strength of his support would become clearer with time.
His comments underline the continuing struggle for influence within the APC in Imo State as prominent political figures position themselves ahead of the next general elections.
With the senatorial ticket dispute adding another dimension to the disagreement, the relationship between Okorocha and Uzodimma is likely to remain a major issue in the state’s political landscape.
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