APC Insists Uzodimma Remains Imo West Senatorial Candidate Despite Court Ruling
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Imo State has insisted that Governor Hope Uzodimma remains its candidate for the Imo West Senatorial District in the 2027 general elections, despite a Federal High Court ruling recognising former governor Rochas Okorocha as the party’s candidate.
The party stated its position in a press release signed by its State Publicity Secretary, Onwuasoanya Jones, on Thursday, following the judgment delivered by Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The court ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to publish Okorocha’s name as the APC candidate for the senatorial district. It also directed Uzodimma to stop presenting himself as the party’s candidate for the January 16, 2027 election.
However, the APC maintained that Uzodimma remained its candidate, arguing that he won the party’s senatorial primary with the overwhelming support of its members.
“The Party wishes to state without any confusion that His Excellency Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma, CON, remains the candidate of our Party for Imo West Senatorial District, having won the primaries of our great Party with the overwhelming support of the majority of our Party members,” the statement read.
The party added that its legal department would review the judgment and determine the appropriate steps to take in response to the court’s decision.
“The Party’s legal department shall study the outcome of a legal intervention in this matter and act accordingly,” the statement added.
The APC also urged its members and supporters to remain focused and committed to the party’s electoral prospects across the state’s constituencies.
The dispute stems from the APC senatorial primary conducted on May 18, 2026, in which Uzodimma was declared the winner with 230,464 votes, while Okorocha reportedly secured 1,098 votes, according to the results recognised by INEC.
Dissatisfied with the outcome, Okorocha challenged the result in court, contesting Uzodimma’s recognition as the party’s candidate for the senatorial district.
In its ruling on Thursday, the court held that Okorocha was the lawful winner of the primary and directed the APC to submit his name to INEC for the 2027 election.
The court also faulted inconsistencies in documents presented by the party in support of Uzodimma’s nomination.
The ruling has intensified the dispute over the APC’s senatorial ticket in Imo West, with the party maintaining its support for Uzodimma while indicating that it would review the court’s decision before determining its next course of action.