The Federal High Court in Abuja has nullified Governor Hope Uzodinma’s emergence as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the Imo West Senatorial District in the 2027 elections, ordering the party to submit former governor Rochas Okorocha’s name to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Justice Obiora Egwuatu delivered the judgment on Thursday, ruling that evidence before the court showed that Okorocha, not Uzodinma, won the APC primary election held on May 18, 2026, and monitored by INEC.
The judge directed INEC to recognise and publish Okorocha’s name as the party’s candidate for the senatorial election scheduled for January 16, 2027. He also ordered Uzodinma to stop presenting himself as the APC candidate for the district.
The ruling followed a suit filed by Okorocha challenging INEC’s recognition of Uzodinma as the winner of the party’s primary.
However, the Imo APC said on Thursday that Uzodinma remained its candidate, adding that its legal department would review the judgment and determine the next course of action.
