Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, has vowed not to relinquish his All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial ticket to anyone despite a recent court ruling challenging his candidacy ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Uzodimma made the declaration on Sunday after attending Mass at the Government House Chapel in Owerri, the Imo State capital.
Reacting to reports suggesting that he could lose the ticket to another aspirant, the governor dismissed the possibility, insisting that he remained determined to pursue his senatorial ambition.
“If they tell you that I will hold this ticket and somebody will collect it and give it to another, tell the person it is a lie,” he said.
The governor also urged residents of the state to support the APC in the forthcoming elections, declaring that his political camp would not align with any other political party.
He further called on residents to campaign for the ruling party and identified the APC candidates he expects them to support in the legislative elections.
According to him, Patrick Ndubueze is the party’s senatorial candidate for Okigwe Zone, while he is seeking to represent Orlu Zone. Alex Mbata was named as the party’s candidate for Owerri Zone.
Uzodimma’s comments come days after a Federal High Court in Abuja ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to remove his name as the APC candidate for Imo West Senatorial District and recognise former governor Rochas Okorocha as the party’s candidate.
The presiding judge, Justice Obiora Egwuatu, ruled that Okorocha secured the majority of votes during the APC senatorial primary conducted on May 18.
The court also faulted INEC for recognising Uzodimma as the party’s candidate despite what the judge described as overwhelming documentary evidence indicating that the governor did not win the primary election.
Okorocha, who governed Imo State between 2011 and 2019, had approached the court in August to challenge INEC’s recognition of Uzodimma as the APC candidate for the senatorial district.
Following the judgment, the former governor described the ruling as a victory for the people of Imo West. He also commended the judiciary, expressing confidence in the court’s decision.
The legal dispute has raised questions about the APC’s senatorial candidacy in Imo West and Uzodimma’s political ambition ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Despite the court ruling, the incumbent governor’s latest remarks indicate that he remains unwilling to give up his senatorial ticket.
