A Federal High Court in Abuja has declared former Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha the winner of the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election for Imo West Senatorial District and ordered Governor Hope Uzodimma to immediately stop presenting himself as the party’s candidate.
Justice Obiora Egwuatu delivered the judgment on Thursday, October 29, 2026, after ruling that Uzodimma did not win the APC senatorial primary held on May 18, 2026.
The court also directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise Okorocha as the APC candidate for the Imo West senatorial election scheduled for January 16, 2027.
Why the Court Ruled Against Uzodimma
The judgment followed a legal challenge filed by Okorocha over the outcome of the APC senatorial primary election monitored by INEC.
Delivering judgment, Justice Egwuatu held that evidence presented before the court established that Okorocha secured the majority of votes cast during the primary.
The judge ruled that Uzodimma was not the rightful winner of the exercise and was therefore not entitled to present himself as the APC candidate for Imo West Senatorial District.
Consequently, the court ordered the APC to forward Okorocha’s name to INEC as its candidate for the 2027 election.
The court further directed INEC to replace Uzodimma’s name with Okorocha’s on the list of candidates for the senatorial district.
Court Orders Uzodimma to Stop Claiming APC Ticket
In addition to declaring Okorocha the winner of the primary, Justice Egwuatu ordered Governor Uzodimma to immediately stop presenting himself as the APC candidate for Imo West.
The directive followed the court’s finding that Uzodimma did not secure the party’s nomination through the May 18 primary election.
The judgment overturned the earlier recognition of Uzodimma as the APC candidate and directed the relevant authorities to recognise Okorocha instead.
The ruling affects Uzodimma’s claim to the party’s senatorial ticket, although further legal proceedings remain possible.
How the APC Senatorial Dispute Began
The dispute began after the APC conducted its senatorial primary election on May 18, 2026.
Uzodimma was initially declared the winner after the party’s returning officer announced that he secured 230,464 votes, while Okorocha received 1,098 votes.
However, Okorocha challenged the outcome in a suit filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1854/2026.
He disputed Uzodimma’s recognition as the party’s candidate and sought judicial intervention over the nomination process.
The controversy intensified after another document emerged identifying Okorocha as the winner of the primary election.
INEC subsequently petitioned security agencies over the disputed document, describing it as fictitious and maintaining that its official records recognised Uzodimma as the winner.
Despite the earlier controversy, the Federal High Court has now ruled in Okorocha’s favour, holding that the evidence before it established his victory in the primary election.
What the Judgment Means for the 2027 Election
The judgment represents a significant development in the contest for the Imo West Senatorial District seat ahead of the January 16, 2027 election.
Under the court’s order, the APC must submit Okorocha’s name to INEC, while the electoral commission has been directed to publish his name as the party’s candidate.
Uzodimma has also been ordered to stop presenting himself as the APC flagbearer for the senatorial district.
However, the court ruling does not mean Okorocha has won the senatorial election itself. The judgment concerns the APC’s nomination process ahead of the general election.
The dispute could also face further legal proceedings if an appeal is filed.
The development adds another chapter to the political rivalry between Okorocha and Uzodimma, both of whom have previously represented Imo West in the Senate.
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