For the upcoming 2027 general elections, the Independent National Electoral Commission was instructed on Thursday by an Abuja Federal High Court to substitute Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma with ex-governor Rochas Okorocha as the All Progressives Congress candidate for the Imo West Senatorial District.
Justice Obiora Egwuatu Orders Uzodimma to Stop Parading as APC Candidate
The ruling deals a potential blow to Governor Hope Uzodimma and his reported ambition to become Senate president in the 12th National Assembly. Presiding Judge Obiora Egwuatu directed the governor to immediately stop presenting himself as the candidate of the All Progressives Congress for the Imo West Senatorial election slated for January 16, 2027. Mr Okorocha governed Imo State from 2011 to 2019, while Uzodinma assumed office in January 2020. During the 9th Nigerian Senate, Mr Okorocha held office as the senator representing the Imo West senatorial district starting in June 2019 until June 2023.
The court held that evidence presented during proceedings established that former governor Rochas Okorocha secured the majority of votes cast during the primary election held on May 18, 2026. The judge ruled that evidence provided by Mr Okorocha showed he, rather than the incumbent governor, won the contest monitored by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
Conflicting Records Show Different Winners for Primary Vote
The legal battle stemmed from starkly contradictory claims regarding the outcome of the primary vote. According to the August report, Williams Kayode, who served as the returning officer and chairman for the APC’s 2026 Imo National Assembly Primary Election Committee, had declared Uzodimma the winner by recording 230,464 votes. Official records initially maintained by the electoral commission stated that Governor Uzodimma polled 230,464 votes, while Mr Okorocha received 1,098 votes. A separate document later circulated indicating that Mr Okorocha won with 150,780 votes, while Uzodimma scored 102,158 votes.
Court sacks Uzodimma, declares Okorocha as Imo West APC senatorial candidatehttps://t.co/v9hQKuYbGQ
Representing the APC, Senior Advocate of Nigeria Robort Emukpoeruo, alongside Onyechi Ikpeazu, also a Senior Advocate of Nigeria who acted for Mr Uzodinma, argued that the legal action was initiated past the statutory 14-day limit set down by law.
Providing testimony via an affidavit, Amen Rochas maintained that his father triumphed in the primary contest, noting that Mr Uzodinma is not now occupying a paid employment of the legislative arm of the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Additionally, Amen stated that on May 17, the APC National Working Committee violated established party protocols and electoral rules when its National Organising Secretary circulated a directive instructing all state chairmen of the National Assembly Primary Election Committee to refrain from holding press briefings or declaring primary results.
Constitutional Arguments Over the Imo West Nomination
The litigation also drew upon constitutional provisions regarding dual executive responsibilities. Mr Okorocha asked the court to consider Section 183 of the 1999 Constitution, which stipulates that a sitting governor cannot hold any other executive office or paid employment while in office. Meanwhile, the 11th National Assembly is scheduled for inauguration in June 2027—more than six months before the governor’s second term concludes.
Meanwhile, Okorocha’s son, Amen Rochas, commended the judiciary for its fair judgment.
Like it’s always said, the court is the last hope for the common man, even though my client is not a common man. He has been vindicated.
O.J. Aboje, Counsel to Rochas Okorocha
Court Directives Issued to INEC and the APC
In formal orders issued on Thursday, Justice Egwuatu set aside the August 1 publication of Governor Uzodimma’s name as the party’s candidate. The court formally instructed the All Progressives Congress to submit Mr Okorocha’s documentation to the electoral commission, while directing the electoral umpire to restore and publish the name of the former governor as the authentic nominee for the Imo West district ahead of the early 2027 polls.
More on Mr Okorocha
JUST IN: Court Declares Rochas Okorocha Winner of APC Imo West Senatorial Primary, Orders Uzodimma to Step Aside https://t.co/uZLIMGdSeL
JUST IN: FCT Court Sacks Uzodimma As APC Senatorial Candidate For Imo West https://t.co/Kp77hpuZBf pic.twitter.com/NtKO7JshQE