The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma to stop presenting himself as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Imo West Senatorial District in the 2027 general election, ruling that former governor Rochas Okorocha won the party’s primary.
Justice Obiora Egwuatu issued the order after finding that Uzodimma did not win the APC senatorial primary conducted on May 18 and monitored by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
In his judgment, Egwuatu held that evidence presented before the court showed that Okorocha secured the majority of votes cast during the primary and should be recognised as the winner.
The judge consequently ordered the APC to submit Okorocha’s name as its candidate for the Imo West Senatorial District election scheduled for January 16, 2027.
The ruling also directs the relevant electoral process to reflect the court’s determination of the party’s candidate, effectively challenging Uzodimma’s position as the APC nominee for the contest.
The dispute centres on the outcome of the party’s primary election to select its candidate for the senatorial seat, which represents Imo West, also known as Orlu Senatorial District, in the National Assembly.
Uzodimma is the incumbent governor of Imo State, while Okorocha, who governed the state before him, is seeking to represent the district in the Senate.
The court’s decision comes ahead of the 2027 general election, with the APC expected to field a candidate for the senatorial contest in line with the party’s nomination process and the court’s ruling.
Meanwhile, APC in Imo state in a statement said Uzodimma remains the party's candidate.
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