The Federal High Court in Abuja has nullified Governor Hope Uzodimma’s emergence as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the Imo West Senatorial District election scheduled for January 16, 2027, and ordered the recognition of former governor Rochas Okorocha as the party’s candidate.
Justice Obiora Egwuatu, who delivered the judgment on Thursday, held that evidence before the court established that Okorocha won the APC senatorial primary conducted on May 18, 2026.
The judge consequently directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise Okorocha and publish his name as the APC’s authentic candidate for the election.
The court also restrained Uzodimma from presenting himself as the party’s candidate for the senatorial contest.
In his judgment, Justice Egwuatu held that Okorocha secured the highest number of lawful votes cast during the primary and was therefore entitled to the party’s ticket.
The ruling contradicts the outcome announced by Williams Kayode, chairman and returning officer of the APC National Assembly primary election committee in Imo State, who had declared Uzodimma the winner of the contest in May.
According to Kayode, Uzodimma secured 230,464 votes across the 12 local government areas in the Orlu zone, while Okorocha polled 1,098 votes.
However, the court ruled that the evidence presented before it showed that Okorocha won the majority of lawful votes cast and should be recognised as the party’s candidate.
Justice Egwuatu therefore ordered the APC to forward Okorocha’s name to INEC for the 2027 Imo West senatorial election and directed the commission to publish his name accordingly.
The decision sets aside Uzodimma’s earlier declaration as the party’s flag bearer and places Okorocha in line to contest the senatorial seat under the APC platform.