Uzodimma Rejects Claims He Will Surrender Imo West Senate Ticket to Okorocha

Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, has insisted that he remains in the race for the Imo West Senatorial District seat ahead of the 2027 general elections, dismissing suggestions that he would relinquish his ambition to another candidate as false.

Uzodimma made the declaration amid the legal dispute over the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial ticket for Imo West, following a Federal High Court judgment ordering the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to replace his name with that of former governor Rochas Okorocha.

The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, presided over by Justice Obiora Egwuatu, delivered the judgment on October 29, 2026. The court ruled that Uzodimma did not emerge as the winner of the APC senatorial primary election conducted on May 18.

However, the APC in Imo State has rejected the court’s decision, maintaining that Uzodimma remains its candidate for the senatorial district.

Speaking on Sunday after attending Mass at the Government House Chapel in Owerri, the governor dismissed claims that he would surrender his ticket to another aspirant.

“If they tell you that I will hold this ticket and somebody will collect it and give it to another, tell the person it is a lie,” Uzodimma said.

He also urged residents to support the APC and campaign for its candidates across all elective positions in the forthcoming elections.

“Go and campaign for the party, our great party, the All Progressives Congress, APC. There is no other political party we are going with,” he said.

The governor further identified the party’s preferred candidates for the National Assembly, naming Patrick Ndubueze for Okigwe Zone, himself for Orlu Zone and Alex Mbata for Owerri Zone.

Meanwhile, Okorocha had earlier welcomed the court judgment, describing it as a victory for the judiciary, democracy and the people of Imo State.

In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media, Sam Onwuemodo, the former governor commended President Bola Tinubu for creating an environment that allows the judiciary and other institutions to function.

Okorocha described the judgment as a victory for the Nigerian Constitution and the people of Imo West Senatorial District.