Imo Political Storm: Uzodimma, Okorocha Clash Over Senatorial Ticket

The political landscape in Imo State has been significantly stirred by an intensifying battle between Governor Hope Uzodimma and his predecessor, Senator Rochas Okorocha, centering on the All Progressives Congress (APC) ticket for the Imo West Senatorial District ahead of the 2027 general elections. This rivalry has been exacerbated by a recent Federal High Court judgment that recognized Okorocha as the legitimate winner of the party’s primary election, further deepening the political divide between the two former allies.

The Federal High Court, Abuja, presided over by Justice Obiora Egwuatu, delivered a judgment on Thursday, October 29, ordering the APC and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognize Okorocha as the party’s candidate. The court found sufficient evidence that Okorocha won the APC senatorial primary held on May 18, 2026, and directed the party to submit his name to INEC. This ruling effectively nullified Uzodimma’s nomination, despite the APC having previously declared him the winner with a substantial margin of 230,464 votes against Okorocha’s 1,098. Okorocha had contested the primary's outcome, arguing that the reported results did not reflect the actual exercise monitored by INEC and raising questions about Uzodimma’s eligibility to contest while serving as governor, citing Section 183 of the 1999 Constitution.

However, the Imo State chapter of the APC has vehemently rejected the court’s judgment, asserting that Governor Uzodimma remains its validly nominated candidate for the senatorial district. In a statement issued by its State Chairman, Austin Onyedebelu, and State Publicity Secretary, Onwuasoanya FCC Jones, the party described the ruling as troubling, questioning its assessment of evidence and judicial precedents. The APC announced that its legal department is currently reviewing the Certified True Copy of the judgment to determine the appropriate legal intervention, including the possibility of filing an appeal, and called for calm among its members and supporters.

Adding another layer of complexity to the political dynamics is the emergence of the Rainbow Coalition, championed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike. This coalition aims to mobilize support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid across party lines, including members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Senator Okorocha has openly embraced this coalition, declaring his intention to unite politicians across Imo State to back President Tinubu, a declaration he made shortly after securing the court judgment. He commended Wike for promoting an initiative that would foster common political objectives, while also questioning Uzodimma’s political influence and ability to secure victory for Tinubu in Imo State and the Southeast in 2027.

Conversely, Governor Uzodimma has expressed strong disagreement with the Rainbow Coalition in Imo State, insisting that all political mobilization efforts for Tinubu’s re-election must be conducted strictly through the APC structure. He publicly declared on October 27 that there was no Rainbow Coalition in Imo State and warned members of the PBAT Door-to-Door Movement against engaging with political platforms outside the ruling party. The governor even threatened to withdraw campaign vehicles from members who participated in such activities.

The disagreement over the Rainbow Coalition and the senatorial ticket dispute has wider implications. The National Secretary of the PDP, Senator Samuel Nnaemeka Anyanwu, through his Media Adviser, Ikenna Onuoha, described the PDP’s alignment with the Rainbow Coalition as a viable strategy to defeat the APC in the 2027 Imo governorship election. Anyanwu accused the Uzodimma administration of opposing the coalition due to its growing political influence and alleged that the initiative had blocked avenues for electoral manipulation by the ruling party. He also criticized Uzodimma’s government for perceived failures in infrastructure, healthcare, education, and other developmental challenges.

Furthermore, the dispute over the Imo West senatorial ticket is reportedly linked to Governor Uzodimma’s ambition to become Senate President in the 11th National Assembly. The Renewed Hope Foot Soldiers for Tinubu, a group concerned about party unity, expressed worries that the unfolding crisis could undermine the APC’s cohesion in the Southeast and negatively impact President Tinubu’s second-term aspirations. The group, in a statement by its National President, Hon. Gbenga Owojori, highlighted that the dispute alters political calculations for the Senate Presidency, potentially sidelining a leading Southeast contender. They also raised allegations by critics concerning Senate President Godswill Akpabio’s alleged interest in preventing Uzodimma’s emergence as a rival and claims of Wike’s involvement in legal challenges against the governor, though no evidence was provided to substantiate Wike’s influence on the court proceedings. The group urged the APC leadership to ensure transparency in its nomination processes and inclusive dialogue to prevent further political marginalization of the Southeast, warning of deeper regional disaffection if fair political representation is not ensured.

This current legal and political standoff evokes memories of the 2019 Imo governorship election, where Uzodimma, then the APC candidate, successfully challenged the declaration of Emeka Ihedioha of the PDP up to the Supreme Court. The apex court eventually nullified Ihedioha’s election in January 2020 and declared Uzodimma the duly elected governor, setting a precedent for prolonged and intense legal contests in Imo State politics. The latest Federal High Court judgment suggests another protracted legal battle over political leadership and representation in Imo West, with the APC indicating its readiness to challenge the ruling.