The Federal High Court in Abuja has nullified Governor Hope Uzodimma’s nomination as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the Imo West Senatorial District election in 2027, directing the party and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise former Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha instead.
Justice Obiora Egwuatu delivered the judgment on Thursday, October 29, 2026, ruling that the evidence presented before the court established that Okorocha won the APC senatorial primary held on May 18, 2026.
The judge consequently ordered the APC to submit Okorocha’s name to INEC and directed the electoral commission to publish his name as the party’s candidate for the senatorial election scheduled for January 16, 2027.
The court also restrained Uzodimma from continuing to present himself as the APC candidate for the contest.
The ruling contradicts the result initially announced by the APC primary election committee, which declared Uzodimma the winner with 230,464 votes, while Okorocha was credited with 1,098 votes.
However, after examining the evidence before it, the court concluded that Okorocha secured the majority of the lawful votes cast during the primary and was therefore entitled to the party’s ticket.
The dispute arose after Okorocha challenged Uzodimma’s nomination in court, questioning the legitimacy of the announced primary election result and INEC’s recognition of the sitting governor as the party’s candidate.
The judgment represents a significant development in the APC’s preparations for the 2027 general elections in Imo State. It also places the party and INEC under an obligation to comply with the court’s directives, subject to any further legal proceedings that may arise.
