The Federal High Court in Abuja has nullified Governor Hope Uzodinma’s emergence as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the Imo West Senatorial District election scheduled for January 16, 2027, declaring former governor Rochas Okorocha the winner of the party’s primary election.
Justice Obiora Egwuatu delivered the judgment on Thursday, ruling that Uzodinma did not win the APC primary conducted on May 18 and monitored by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The court held that evidence presented before it established that Okorocha secured the majority of lawful votes cast during the exercise, making him the rightful winner of the primary.
Consequently, Justice Egwuatu ordered Uzodinma to stop parading himself as the APC’s senatorial candidate for Imo West.
The judge also directed the APC to submit Okorocha’s name to INEC as its candidate for the 2027 National Assembly election in the district.
INEC was further ordered to publish Okorocha’s name as the party’s candidate in accordance with the court’s decision.
The ruling deals a major setback to Uzodinma’s bid to represent Imo West in the Senate and reopens the contest over the APC’s ticket ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The judgment also places the spotlight on the party’s handling of its primary election and the legal consequences of disputes over candidate selection.
