Explosive Court Ruling: Uzodimma's Senatorial Bid Derailed as Okorocha Declares Victory

A Federal High Court in Abuja has nullified the candidacy of Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, for the Imo West Senatorial District, declaring former Governor, Rochas Okorocha, as the lawful All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate. Justice Obiora Egwuatu issued this order, ruling that Uzodimma did not win the APC primary conducted on May 18, which was monitored by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The judgment highlighted that evidence presented before the court proved Okorocha secured the majority of votes cast at the primary election, and therefore should be recognized as the legitimate winner. Consequently, the court ordered the APC to forward Okorocha’s name to INEC for publication as the party’s candidate for the Imo West Senatorial District in the 2027 general elections, effectively barring Uzodimma from continuing to present himself for the position.

Speaking on ARISE Prime Time, Okorocha questioned Uzodimma’s electoral history, stating that the sitting governor, whose tenure runs until January 2028, had never won an election and queried how he could abandon his gubernatorial post for the Senate. In response, the Imo APC insists that Uzodimma remains its candidate, while the state government has branded the judgment a miscarriage of justice and announced its intention to appeal the decision. This political drama unfolded as an old video from a 2021 event in Rivers State, showing Okorocha dancing with then-Governor Nyesom Wike, resurfaced online. Wike, now the FCT Minister, has publicly vowed to oppose Uzodimma’s reported Senate Presidency ambition. Adding to the developments, former APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje, visited Okorocha shortly after the ruling, describing it as a well-deserved victory and a vindication.

In other national news, during Wednesday’s plenary in the National Assembly, Senator Adams Oshiomhole of Edo North addressed the issue of human trafficking. He recounted a past conversation with an Italian ambassador where he suggested that Italy should focus on tackling the demand for trafficked women while Edo State concentrated on the supply, to which the envoy reportedly replied that Italians could not resist Edo girls.

Separately, a controversy arose regarding an event centre accused by the National Democratic Coalition (NDC) of cancelling a booking last minute under government pressure. The management of the event centre denied the allegations, stating that the October 29th booking was made by a professional body for a national conference, not a political party. They explained that the booking was cancelled when political party decoration materials arrived on Wednesday, but later allowed the event to proceed as a youth town hall meeting to prevent a breach of peace. The management insisted it received no instructions from the Enugu State Government, and the NDC has yet to respond.

Further details also emerged concerning the arrest of NDC supporter, Mustapha Rilwan Olawale, whose detention prompted Peter Obi to demand his release. His lawyers confirmed that the Department of State Services (DSS) arrested him over a WhatsApp message sent to INEC’s Resident Electoral Commissioner for Lagos State, Professor Ayobami Salami, which the commissioner found threatening. While the commissioner has accepted Olawale’s apology, he requires an undertaking never to repeat such an action. The lawyers clarified that no political party was behind the arrest.

A pro-NDC video has also gained traction online, comparing the living conditions of the average police officer with Presidency spending, highlighting figures such as 5 billion naira for a new presidential yacht and 21 billion naira for the Vice President’s home. In a more somber development, skit maker Anti Abiba shared an emotional viral video announcing the death of her brother, revealing that her family had exhausted their savings and borrowed heavily for his prolonged hospital care before financial constraints forced them to bring him home.

In the banking sector, Fidelity Bank has successfully repaid its 400 million dollar Eurobond at maturity. The five-year notes, issued in 2021 with a coupon of 7.625 percent, were redeemed on Wednesday using the bank’s own liquidity. This repayment follows the bank’s recent recapitalization, which elevated its eligible regulatory capital to approximately 533 billion naira, surpassing the 500 billion naira minimum required for banks with an international licence. Managing Director, Dr Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, confirmed that the bank had meticulously planned for this maturity from the outset.

On a celebratory note, Nigerian cyclist Bello Muhammad has set a new Guinness World Record for the tallest bicycle ridden unassisted, measuring an impressive nine feet, five inches. Muhammad constructed the bicycle himself and achieved the record in Kebbi State on September 22nd, successfully mounting, riding, and dismounting without safety tethers. The certificate was officially presented in Birnin Kebbi on Wednesday, where the Head of Service rewarded him with one million naira.

Finally, global superstar Burna Boy gave fans a sneak peek of a brand-new unreleased song during a live performance in London on Thursday night, accompanied by his live band at the Apple Music Hall.