The Imo State Government has rejected the Federal High Court judgment declaring former governor Rochas Okorocha the winner of the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election for Imo West Senatorial District.
The State Commissioner for Information, Declan Emelumba, described the judgment as a “complete travesty of justice” and announced that the government would approach the Court of Appeal to challenge the decision.
In a statement, Emelumba accused the trial judge, Justice Obiora Egwuatu, of disregarding established legal principles and existing Supreme Court decisions while delivering the judgment.
He argued that the court was presented with Supreme Court rulings stating that allegations of forgery and perjury could not be determined through an originating summons procedure. However, according to the commissioner, the judge proceeded to rule in Okorocha’s favor based on affidavit evidence he alleged was founded on forged documents.
Emelumba also questioned the timing of Okorocha’s lawsuit, citing the Supreme Court decision in Orji v. Chima, which he said requires anyone seeking to be declared the winner of a party primary to file their case within 14 days.
He noted that the APC primary was conducted on May 18, 2026, while Okorocha filed his suit on August 13, 2026, 87 days later.
The commissioner maintained that the judge should have upheld the preliminary objection challenging the case instead of proceeding to determine who won the primary.
He added that the state government would explore all available legal options to overturn the ruling and recover what it considers its party’s mandate.
The Federal High Court had earlier ruled that Okorocha secured the majority of votes cast during the APC primary for Imo West Senatorial District.
Justice Egwuatu consequently ordered Governor Hope Uzodimma to stop presenting himself as the party’s candidate for the January 16, 2027 senatorial election and directed the APC to submit Okorocha’s name as its candidate.
