Court Orders Uzodinma to Stop Claiming APC Senatorial Ticket, Declares Okorocha Winner

The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma to stop parading himself as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the Imo West Senatorial District election scheduled for January 16, 2027.

Justice Obiora Egwuatu issued the order on Thursday after ruling that Uzodinma did not win the APC primary election held on May 18 and monitored by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The court held that evidence presented during the proceedings showed that former Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha secured the majority of votes cast during the primary.

Based on the findings, Justice Egwuatu directed the APC to recognise Okorocha as the winner of the exercise and submit his name to INEC as the party’s candidate for the Imo West Senatorial seat in the 2027 general elections.

The judge also ordered INEC to accept Okorocha as the APC’s lawful candidate and publish his name accordingly.

In a further finding, the court held that most of the documents used in nominating Uzodinma allegedly involved fabrication and violated provisions of the 1999 Constitution and the Electoral Act.

The ruling presents a significant development in the APC’s preparations for the 2027 elections in Imo State, particularly in the contest for the Imo West Senate seat. Uzodinma is the incumbent governor, whose tenure is scheduled to end on January 14, 2028.