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A Federal High Court in Abuja has declared former Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Imo West Senatorial District in the 2027 general election, dealing a major blow to Governor Hope Uzodimma’s senatorial ambition.
In its judgment on Thursday, the court ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to publish Okorocha’s name as the party’s candidate for the January 16, 2027 election.
Justice Obiora Egwuatu also directed Uzodimma to stop presenting himself as the APC candidate for the senatorial contest.
The judgment followed a suit filed by Okorocha challenging INEC’s recognition of Uzodimma as the winner of the party’s senatorial primary.
Justice Egwuatu held that the evidence before the court established that Okorocha won the APC primary conducted on May 18, 2026, which was monitored by INEC.
The judge consequently ordered the APC to submit Okorocha’s name to the electoral commission as its candidate for the election.
The dispute arose from conflicting claims over the outcome of the primary. INEC’s official results had recognised Uzodimma as the winner with 230,464 votes, while Okorocha was credited with 1,098 votes.
Dissatisfied with the result, Okorocha approached the court in suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1854/2026, challenging INEC’s decision to recognise the governor as the party’s candidate.
He also raised questions about Uzodimma’s eligibility to contest the senatorial election while serving as governor of Imo State.
The ruling places Okorocha in line to represent the APC in the contest for Imo West, subject to any further legal developments.
