Okorocha Tells Uzodimma to Stop Aides from Attacking Judge Over APC Senatorial Ticket Ruling

Former Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, has urged Governor Hope Uzodimma to caution his aides against attacking the judge who ruled in his favour in the dispute over the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial ticket for Imo West ahead of the 2027 elections.

Okorocha made the appeal at the Federal High Court in Abuja, where he called on the governor to challenge the judgment through the appropriate appeal process rather than criticise the judiciary.

The dispute followed an October 29 judgment delivered by Justice Obiora Egwuatu, who ruled that Okorocha won the APC senatorial primary for Imo West Senatorial District.

The court ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to replace Uzodimma’s name with Okorocha’s as the party’s candidate.

In delivering the judgment, Justice Egwuatu reportedly identified irregularities in the primary election records and held that Uzodimma’s nomination did not comply with the Electoral Act and APC guidelines.

However, Uzodimma’s camp has rejected the ruling and filed an appeal, expressing confidence that the decision would be overturned.

Reacting to criticisms of the judgment by the governor’s aides and an APC national vice-chairman, Okorocha accused them of undermining the judiciary.

He urged Uzodimma to allow the legal process to run its course, maintaining that anyone dissatisfied with a court decision should seek redress through the courts rather than attack the judge.

The dispute adds another dimension to the political contest surrounding the APC’s choice of candidate for the Imo West Senatorial District ahead of the 2027 general elections.