The Federal High Court in Abuja has nullified the emergence of Imo State governor, Hope Uzodinma, as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the Imo West Senatorial District election scheduled for January 16, 2027, and ordered the recognition of former governor Rochas Okorocha.
Court sacks Uzodinma, recognises Okorocha
Justice Obiora Egwuatu, who delivered the judgment on Thursday, held that Uzodinma did not win the APC senatorial primary conducted on May 18, 2026, which was monitored by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The court ruled that evidence presented before it showed that Okorocha secured the majority of lawful votes cast during the primary and was therefore entitled to be recognised as the party’s candidate for the forthcoming election.
Consequently, Justice Egwuatu ordered the APC to submit Okorocha’s name to INEC and directed the electoral commission to recognise and publish him as the party’s candidate for the Imo West Senatorial District.
The judge also restrained Uzodinma from continuing to present himself as the APC nominated candidate for the election.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1854/2026, was instituted by Okorocha, who challenged the recognition of Uzodinma as the winner of the party’s primary election.
Okorocha had questioned the validity of the results submitted to INEC, arguing that the commission was bound to consider the reports of its officials who monitored the exercise.
However, Uzodinma and the APC opposed the suit, arguing that it was filed outside the constitutionally-prescribed timeframe for pre-election matters.
INEC also defended its recognition of Uzodinma, maintaining that its officials’ report indicated that the governor won the primary.
In its judgment, the court rejected the position supporting Uzodinma’s nomination and set aside the recognition of his candidacy.
The ruling represented a significant development in the APC’s preparations for the 2027 general election in Imo State, particularly in the contest for the Imo West senatorial seat.
Following the judgment, the Imo State chapter of the APC has, however, reportedly expressed its intention to challenge the decision, insisting that Uzodinma remained its legitimate candidate and that the party would pursue legal action to overturn the ruling.
The development has left the party’s senatorial nomination embroiled in a legal dispute as preparations continue for the 2027 elections.
