Former Chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Sam Amadi, has questioned the fairness of a Federal High Court judgment that removed Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the Imo West Senatorial District in the 2027 general elections.
Amadi expressed reservations about the ruling, suggesting that the governor might have been unfairly treated in the legal dispute over the party’s senatorial primary.
The court, presided over by Justice Obiora Egwuatu, ruled on Thursday that Uzodimma did not emerge as the rightful winner of the APC primary held on 18 May 2026. It subsequently ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to replace his name with that of former Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha.
Reacting to the judgment in a post on his Facebook page on Friday, Amadi argued that allegations of wrongdoing against a politician should not automatically lead to the assumption that the person is guilty in every other dispute.
Amadi Points to Video Evidence
To support his concerns, the former NERC chairman referred to a video clip showing Uzodimma addressing journalists alongside his wife, with a sizeable crowd of APC members reportedly present during the primary election.
Amadi said the footage had prompted him to question whether the governor was necessarily an illegitimate candidate, insisting that the evidence surrounding the primary should be carefully examined.
He acknowledged that Uzodimma had faced criticism over various political issues but maintained that such controversies should not prevent people from objectively assessing the evidence in the senatorial candidacy dispute.
Amadi also cautioned against allowing a politician’s reputation or frequent complaints to influence public judgment when that individual might genuinely have a legitimate grievance.
He urged observers to examine the evidence relating to Okorocha’s claim rather than reaching conclusions based solely on political loyalties or personal opinions about the governor.
Court Declares Okorocha Winner of APC Primary
The legal battle centres on the APC primary election for the Imo West Senatorial District, also known as Orlu Zone, ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Okorocha challenged Uzodimma’s emergence as the party’s candidate, disputing the results and documents used to support the governor’s nomination.
In its judgment, the Federal High Court held that the evidence presented established that Okorocha had secured the majority of lawful votes cast during the primary.
The court consequently ordered the APC to submit Okorocha’s name to INEC and directed the electoral commission to recognise him as the party’s candidate for the senatorial election scheduled for January 2027.
The judgment has, however, generated disagreement within the ruling party, with the Imo APC chapter insisting that Uzodimma remains its authentic candidate while its legal team examines the court’s decision.
Political and Legal Dispute Continues
The Imo State Government has rejected the judgment, describing it as a miscarriage of justice and indicating that it would challenge the decision through the appropriate legal channels.
The controversy has also intensified political tensions between the camps of Uzodimma and Okorocha as preparations for the 2027 elections gather momentum.
Amadi’s intervention adds another voice to the debate over the ruling, although his comments do not overturn the court’s decision or establish that an injustice occurred.
The next stage of the dispute is expected to depend on any appeal and the outcome of further judicial proceedings.
For now, the case has renewed discussions about the conduct of party primaries, the handling of disputed electoral documents and the importance of ensuring that political disputes are resolved through credible evidence and due process.
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