Former Imo State Governor and Senator Rochas Okorocha has dragged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) before the court over its recognition of Governor Hope Uzodimma as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the Imo West Senatorial District election scheduled for 2027.

Okorocha, a two-term former governor of the state, is challenging INEC’s publication of Uzodimma’s name, insisting that he won the APC direct primary conducted on May 18 to select the party’s candidate for the senatorial election.

In the suit, Okorocha raised five questions for determination, including whether INEC was legally bound to rely on the reports submitted by its officials who monitored the APC primary.

He also asked the court to determine whether INEC acted unlawfully by publishing Uzodimma’s name as the winner of the primary, particularly in view of Section 183 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.

Okorocha is seeking 10 reliefs, including a declaration that INEC’s publication of Uzodimma as the APC candidate was unconstitutional because, according to him, Uzodimma did not win the May 18 primary.

He further asked the court to nullify the publication and direct INEC to recognise and publish his name as the duly nominated APC candidate for the 2027 Imo West senatorial election.

The former governor also wants the court to restrain Uzodimma, either personally or through the APC or any other person, from presenting himself as the party’s candidate for the election.

Okorocha equally asked the court to award costs against the respondents as it may deem appropriate.

In an affidavit filed in support of the suit, Amen Rochas, who described Okorocha as his biological father, said he was familiar with the circumstances surrounding the case in his capacity as the former governor’s Personal Assistant on Political Matters.

According to him, Okorocha, born on September 22, 1962, is a registered and financial member of the APC.

He further stated that Uzodimma’s current tenure as Imo governor would run until midnight on January 14, 2028, having been sworn in for his second term on January 15, 2024.

The affidavit alleged that despite having a tenure extending beyond the 2027 elections, Uzodimma purchased the APC Expression of Interest and nomination forms to contest the Imo West senatorial seat.

It added that Okorocha, Uzodimma and other aspirants seeking APC tickets for various elective positions were screened and cleared to participate in the direct primaries.

The deponent claimed that the APC National Working Committee directed that the results of the primaries be forwarded to the party’s national secretariat for announcement.

He alleged that the Imo West senatorial primary held on May 18 produced Okorocha as the winner, with 150,780 votes, while Uzodimma polled 102,158 votes.

The legal action followed INEC’s publication of Uzodimma’s name as the APC candidate, a decision Okorocha is now asking the court to overturn.