Court Nullifies Uzodinma’s APC Senatorial Candidacy, Declares Rochas Okorocha Winner of Imo West Primary

The Federal High Court in Abuja has nullified Governor Hope Uzodinma’s emergence as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the Imo West Senatorial election scheduled for January 16, 2027.

In a judgment delivered on Thursday, Justice Obiora Egwuatu ruled that evidence presented before the court showed that Uzodinma did not emerge as the valid winner of the APC senatorial primary conducted in the district on May 18.

The primary election was monitored by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The court held that former Imo State Governor and Senator, Rochas Okorocha, secured the highest number of votes cast during the exercise and was therefore entitled to the party’s senatorial ticket.

Consequently, Justice Egwuatu directed INEC to recognise Okorocha as the authentic APC candidate for the Imo West Senatorial District election.

The judge further ordered the electoral commission to publish Okorocha’s name as the party’s candidate ahead of the January 2027 poll.

The court also restrained Governor Uzodinma from presenting himself as the APC candidate for the senatorial election, effectively invalidating his emergence as the party’s flagbearer.

The ruling marks a significant development in the APC’s political contest in Imo West ahead of the 2027 general elections.