Court Nullifies Uzodimma's APC Candidacy, Recognizes Okorocha

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has nullified Governor Hope Uzodimma’s emergence as All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Imo West Senatorial District. The court ordered the APC and Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise former Governor Rochas Okorocha.

Court Order

In its judgement handed down on Thursday, Justice Obiora Egwuatu said, there was no evidence to prove that Uzodimma won the APC primary elections that was supervised by INEC on May 18, 2026. The court said there was enough evidence to prove that it was Okorocha who obtained the majority vote in the primary elections.

The court stopped Uzodimma from claiming to be APC’s candidate for the forthcoming Imo West senatorial elections slated for January 16, 2027.

Directives

The court ordered the APC to nominate Okorocha as their validly nominated candidate for the 2027 Imo West senatorial elections. It also ordered INEC to immediately recognise and announce that Okorocha is their lawful candidate, having previously recognised Uzodimma.

The judge stated that the nomination forms presented by the APC to prove Uzodimma’s candidacy contained conflicting and forged documents contrary to the 1999 Constitution and Electoral Act. INEC was also blamed for announcing Uzodimma’s name despite the evidence presented.

Significance

This decision means that Uzodimma, who is currently the Governor of Imo State whose term runs out on January 14, 2028, no longer has a claim to the APC ticket for Imo West. The decision can however be appealed against so Uzodimma can contest that.

Okorocha, who is a former governor and senator of Imo is now seen as the APC’s candidate for the seat. Provided he follows the judgement and if challenged by the governor’s legal team.

Source: dailypost

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