The Federal High Court in Abuja has removed Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the Imo West Senatorial District in the 2027 general elections, directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise former governor Rochas Okorocha as the party’s duly nominated candidate.
Justice Obiora Egwuatu gave the ruling on Thursday, October 29, 2026, following a legal challenge filed by Okorocha over the conduct and outcome of the APC senatorial primary election held on May 18.
The court ordered INEC to publish Okorocha’s name as the APC candidate for the Imo West senatorial seat and directed the party to forward his name to the electoral commission.
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It also restrained Uzodimma from presenting himself as the party’s nominated candidate for the senatorial election scheduled for January 16, 2027.
Why Okorocha Went to Court
Okorocha had challenged INEC’s decision to publish Uzodimma’s name as the APC candidate for Imo West, arguing that the commission’s records of the party primary supported his own emergence as the winner.
In the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1854/2026, filed on August 13, 2026, the former governor asked the court to determine whether INEC was required to rely on reports submitted by its officials who monitored the primary election.
He also sought an order nullifying the publication of Uzodimma’s name and compelling INEC to recognise him as the party’s validly nominated candidate.
According to an affidavit filed in support of the suit by Okorocha’s son, Amen Rochas, who described himself as his father’s personal assistant on political matters, Okorocha secured 150,780 votes in the primary, while Uzodimma polled 102,158 votes.
The affidavit further alleged that the APC submitted reports on the primary election to INEC but that the commission later published Uzodimma’s name as the winner.
Uzodimma, APC Disputed Okorocha’s Claims
Uzodimma and the APC opposed the suit, urging the court to dismiss it on the grounds that it was filed outside the 14-day period prescribed by law for such pre-election matters.
Their lawyers argued that the case was statute-barred and failed to comply with the relevant provisions of the Nigerian Constitution.
In a counter-affidavit filed on behalf of the governor, Lucky Ajokperiniovo, who said he was part of the committee that conducted the primary, maintained that Uzodimma won the election.
He claimed that the votes were collated from the wards and local government areas before the final results were announced. He further stated that Uzodimma scored 230,464 votes, while Okorocha received 1,098 votes.
The APC and the governor also maintained that the exercise complied substantially with the party’s constitution, its primary election guidelines and the Electoral Act 2026.
INEC Also Opposed the Suit
INEC disputed Okorocha’s claims, maintaining that its officials monitored the primary election and submitted a report indicating that Uzodimma scored the highest number of votes.
The commission also stated that it did not receive any complaint from the aspirants concerning the outcome of the exercise.
Despite the opposing arguments, the court ruled in Okorocha’s favour and ordered INEC to recognise him as the APC’s candidate for the Imo West senatorial contest.
Background to the Political Rivalry
Okorocha served as Imo State governor from 2011 to 2019 before representing Imo West in the Senate from 2019 to 2023.
His attempt to return to the National Assembly has further intensified his longstanding political rivalry with Uzodimma, who is currently serving his second and final term as governor of Imo State.
Uzodimma’s governorship tenure is expected to end in January 2028. If he eventually secures the senatorial seat, he would have to leave office before completing his remaining tenure.
The governor retains the right to challenge the judgment through the appellate process.
The ruling is a significant development in the APC’s preparations for the 2027 general elections in Imo State, although further legal proceedings could affect the final outcome of the senatorial contest.
