Court Orders Uzodinma to Stop Parading yourself as APC Senatorial Candidate for Imo West, Recognises Okorocha as Primary Winner

The Federal High Court in Abuja has reportedly ordered Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma, to immediately stop presenting himself as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the Imo West Senatorial District in the January 16, 2027 election, following a dispute over the party’s senatorial primary.

The ruling, delivered on Thursday by Justice Obiora Egwuatu, held that Uzodinma did not emerge as the winner of the APC senatorial primary conducted on May 18, which was monitored by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

According to the account of the judgment, the court found that the evidence presented before it established that former Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, secured the majority of votes cast during the primary election.

Consequently, the court directed the APC to forward Okorocha’s name to INEC as the party’s candidate for the Imo West Senatorial District in the 2027 general election.

Court Ruling Deals Blow to Uzodinma’s Senatorial Ambition

The reported judgment represents a significant development in the political contest over the APC ticket for Imo West, a senatorial district that has remained central to political calculations in Imo State.

Uzodinma’s alleged claim to the party’s ticket has now come under judicial scrutiny, with the court’s decision placing renewed attention on the conduct of party primaries, the credibility of electoral processes within political parties and the legal procedures governing the selection of candidates for public office.

By recognising Okorocha as the winner of the primary, the court has underscored the importance of evidence in resolving disputes over party nominations. The directive to submit Okorocha’s name to INEC would, if accurately reported and given effect, have significant implications for the APC’s preparations for the 2027 senatorial election in Imo West.

Implications for the APC in Imo State

The development could also intensify political discussions within the APC in Imo State, particularly regarding internal party democracy, compliance with primary election procedures and the handling of disagreements over nominations.

Political parties are expected to conduct their primaries in accordance with applicable electoral laws, party guidelines and established procedures. Where disputes arise, affected aspirants may seek judicial intervention to determine whether the process was conducted lawfully and whether the declared outcome reflects the valid votes cast.

The reported ruling therefore raises important questions about the party’s next steps and its compliance with the court’s directives.