Justice Obiora Egwuatu rules that Uzodinma did not win the APC primary election for Imo West, directing INEC and the party to recognise former governor Rochas Okorocha as the candidate for the 2027 elections.
The Federal High Court in Abuja has directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to remove Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma from the list of All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates for the Imo West Senatorial District election and replace his name with that of former governor Rochas Okorocha.
Justice Obiora Egwuatu issued the order on Thursday after ruling that Uzodinma did not emerge victorious in the APC senatorial primary election held on May 18 and monitored by INEC.
The court held that evidence presented during the proceedings established that Okorocha secured the majority of votes cast in the primary election, making him the rightful winner of the party’s nomination contest.
Court Directs APC to Submit Okorocha’s Name
Following its findings, the court ordered the APC to forward Okorocha’s name to INEC as its candidate for the Imo West Senatorial District seat in the 2027 general elections.
The ruling also directed the electoral commission to update its records by removing Uzodinma’s name and recognising Okorocha as the party’s senatorial candidate.
The decision centres on the outcome of the party’s primary election and the court’s determination of who secured the majority of votes during the exercise.
Decision Comes Ahead of 2027 General Elections
The judgment comes as political parties prepare for the 2027 general elections. According to the report, INEC had scheduled the presidential, senatorial and House of Representatives elections for January 16, 2027.
The court’s directive places the APC’s nomination for the Imo West senatorial contest at the centre of attention, with the party expected to comply with the order by submitting Okorocha’s name to the electoral commission.
The report did not include any response from Uzodinma, the APC or INEC regarding the judgment or whether an appeal would be filed.
