Court Drama Rocks Imo West: Uzodimma Sacked as Senatorial Candidate, APC Vows Fightback!

A Federal High Court in Abuja has issued a significant ruling concerning the Imo West Senatorial District candidacy for the 2027 general elections, ordering the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to remove Governor Hope Uzodimma's name and replace it with that of former governor Rochas Okorocha. Justice Obiora Egwuatu delivered the judgment on Thursday, stating that Uzodimma did not legitimately win the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election held on May 18, and that evidence presented to the court proved Okorocha was the rightful winner.

Justice Egwuatu's ruling was emphatic, asserting that Okorocha secured the majority of lawful votes cast in the primary across the 10 local government areas of the senatorial district. He explicitly ordered INEC to set aside its earlier publication of Uzodimma’s name as the APC Senatorial candidate for Imo West and to restore Okorocha’s name. Furthermore, the court restrained Uzodimma from presenting himself as the APC senatorial candidate for the January 16, 2027 election, and directed the APC to forward Okorocha’s name to INEC.

The judgment highlighted several irregularities in Uzodimma's nomination. The judge held that Uzodimma's nomination breached Sections 29 and 32 of the Electoral Act and failed to comply with the APC’s guidelines for conducting primary elections, deeming it unlawful and fraudulent. Justice Egwuatu also faulted INEC for accepting Uzodimma’s nomination despite what he described as overwhelming documentary evidence indicating the governor was not the lawful winner of the primary. The court found that INEC was bound by the report of its own officials, which clearly established Okorocha’s victory in the May 18 primary.

In reviewing the evidence, Justice Egwuatu questioned the authenticity and consistency of documents submitted by the APC to justify Uzodimma’s nomination. He noted that the majority of these documents contradicted each other, suggesting they were fabricated for the unlawful purpose of nominating Uzodimma. The judge pointed out discrepancies in accounts given by different APC officials regarding the primary's conduct; one document claimed Option A4 was used, another from a National Working Committee member alleged a consensus arrangement, while a third stated a direct primary was conducted. These conflicting accounts were deemed significant, especially since votes were reportedly allocated to aspirants despite the claim of a consensus.

The dispute originated from conflicting claims over the outcome of the APC primary for the Imo West Senatorial District. Uzodimma was initially declared the winner by the APC and recognized by INEC, with official results indicating he polled 230,464 votes against Okorocha's 1,098 votes. However, a separate document later circulated, purporting to show Okorocha won with 150,780 votes. Okorocha subsequently filed suit FHC/ABJ/CS/1854/2026 at the Federal High Court in Abuja, challenging the outcome and Uzodimma’s recognition. His suit also questioned Uzodimma's eligibility to contest the 2027 senatorial election while serving as governor, given his second term is expected to end in January 2028.

In response to the judgment, the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Imo State has vehemently rejected the court’s ruling, insisting that Governor Hope Uzodimma remains its flagbearer for Imo West Senatorial District. In a statement issued by its State Publicity Secretary, Onwuasoanya Jones, the party maintained that Uzodimma emerged victorious in its senatorial primary with the overwhelming support of its members. The APC stated that its legal department would thoroughly study the court’s decision before determining its next course of action and urged members and supporters to remain committed to the party’s political objectives for the 2027 elections.

Conversely, Rochas Okorocha welcomed the judgment, expressing satisfaction that justice had prevailed. In a statement issued by his media adviser, Sam Onwuemodo, Okorocha thanked the judiciary, President Bola Tinubu, and the APC leadership, while also appreciating his supporters in Imo West and urging them to remain calm. Okorocha previously served as Imo State Governor from 2011 to 2019 and represented Imo West in the Senate from 2019 to 2023. Uzodimma, who also previously represented the senatorial district, became governor in January 2020 and began his second term in January 2024. As of now, the Imo APC has not announced whether it will appeal Thursday’s judgment, leaving the final resolution of the candidacy dispute uncertain.