The Federal High Court in Abuja has directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise former Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Imo West Senatorial District in the 2027 general elections.
In his judgment delivered on Thursday, Justice Obiora Egwuatu also ordered the incumbent governor, Hope Uzodimma, to stop presenting himself as the party’s candidate for the January 16, 2027 senatorial election.
The court’s decision followed a suit instituted by Okorocha challenging Uzodimma’s recognition as the APC candidate for the district.
Justice Egwuatu ruled that the evidence presented before the court showed that Okorocha emerged victorious in the party’s primary election held on May 18, 2026, which was monitored by INEC.
The judge consequently directed the APC to forward Okorocha’s name to the electoral commission for recognition as its candidate in the forthcoming election.
The dispute arose from conflicting claims over the outcome of the party’s primary election. INEC’s official results had listed Uzodimma as the winner with 230,464 votes, while Okorocha was credited with 1,098 votes.
Dissatisfied with the outcome, the former governor filed suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1854/2026, challenging INEC’s decision to recognise Uzodimma as the party’s flagbearer.
Okorocha also questioned the governor’s eligibility to contest the senatorial election while still serving as governor of Imo State.
Further details are expected to emerge.
