Former Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, has described the Federal High Court judgment recognising him as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Imo West Senatorial District in the 2027 general election as a victory for the judiciary, democracy and the Nigerian Constitution, even as the party’s Imo State chapter insists that Governor Hope Uzodimma remains its candidate.
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Okorocha, in a statement issued on Thursday by his Special Adviser on Media, Sam Onwuemodo, welcomed the judgment delivered by Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court in Abuja, which nullified Uzodimma’s recognition as the APC candidate and ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to publish Okorocha’s name.
The former governor had instituted the suit against the APC, Uzodimma and other defendants, challenging the outcome of the party’s May 18, 2026, senatorial primary and seeking a declaration that he was the lawful candidate for Imo West Senatorial District.
He also asked the court to determine whether Uzodimma could constitutionally contest the January 16, 2027, senatorial election while serving as Governor of Imo State, with his tenure expected to end in January 2028.
TheNigeriaLawyer had earlier reported that Justice Egwuatu, in his judgment, declared Okorocha the lawful winner of the APC senatorial primary, which was monitored by INEC.
The court held that Uzodimma did not emerge as the valid winner of the May 18, 2026, primary election and consequently nullified his recognition as the party’s candidate.
Justice Egwuatu directed the APC to submit Okorocha’s name to INEC and ordered the electoral commission to publish his name as the party’s candidate for the Imo West senatorial election.
The judge also restrained Uzodimma from parading himself as the APC candidate for the January 16, 2027, election.
The court further faulted inconsistencies in documents presented by the APC in support of Uzodimma’s nomination.
Reacting to the decision, Okorocha described the judgment as a landmark development for Nigeria’s democratic institutions and the rule of law.
“This judgment, to say the least, is a resounding victory for the nation’s judiciary. It is a victory for the nation’s fast-growing democracy. It is an outstanding victory for the nation’s Constitution, as amended,” he said.
He maintained that the decision went beyond his personal political ambition, describing it as a victory for Nigerians who believe in justice, fairness and constitutional governance.
“It is a remarkable victory for all lovers of what is right and haters of what is wrong. It is a notable victory for posterity and history. Finally, it is a victory for Imo people in general, and Imo West Senatorial District people in particular,” Okorocha added.
The former governor thanked President Bola Tinubu for what he described as “providing the enabling environment for the Judiciary and other Institutions to function for the nation’s rapid development and growth.”
He also commended the national leadership of the APC for allowing members of the party to pursue their legitimate political aspirations and exercise their constitutional rights.
Okorocha expressed gratitude to the people of Imo State, particularly residents of Imo West Senatorial District, for their prayers, moral support and celebrations following the judgment.
He further acknowledged Uzodimma’s participation in the proceedings as one of the respondents, describing the litigation and its outcome as part of a historic judicial decision.
The former governor also expressed gratitude to God for the judgment, which he described as a victory for the people of Imo State.
However, the Imo State chapter of the APC rejected the implication that the judgment had displaced Uzodimma as its senatorial candidate, insisting that the governor remained the party’s choice for the 2027 election.
In a statement issued on Thursday and signed by the State Publicity Secretary, Onwuasoanya Jones, the party maintained that Uzodimma emerged victorious in its senatorial primary through the overwhelming support of party 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 said its legal department would examine the Federal High Court judgment and determine the appropriate legal steps to take.
“The Party’s legal department shall study the outcome of a legal intervention in this matter and act accordingly,” it stated.
The Imo APC also urged its members and supporters to remain focused on the party’s preparations for the 2027 general election and work towards securing victories across the state’s constituencies.
The dispute arose from the APC senatorial primary conducted on May 18, 2026, in which Uzodimma was declared the winner with 230,464 votes, while Okorocha was credited with 1,098 votes, according to the results recognised by INEC.
Dissatisfied with the outcome, Okorocha approached the Federal High Court, challenging Uzodimma’s emergence and asking the court to recognise him as the party’s authentic candidate.
Following the hearing, Justice Egwuatu ruled in Okorocha’s favour, holding that he was the lawful winner of the primary and directing the APC and INEC to take the necessary steps to recognise his candidacy.
The conflicting positions of Okorocha and the Imo APC have now placed the party’s Imo West senatorial ticket at the centre of a fresh political and legal dispute ahead of the 2027 elections.
While Okorocha has welcomed the judgment as a vindication of his constitutional rights and political aspirations, the state chapter of the APC maintains that Uzodimma remains its candidate and has indicated that its legal team will review the decision.
The judgment remains the operative decision of the Federal High Court unless stayed or set aside by a court of competent jurisdiction. The party’s disagreement with the ruling does not, by itself, overturn the court’s orders.
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