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From Stanley Uzoaru, Owerri
The All Progressives Congress (APC) youth leaders in Imo West Senatorial District, popularly known as Orlu Zone, have rejected the October 26, 2026 judgment of the Federal High Court declaring former Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha as the party’s candidate for the January 16, 2027 senatorial election.
The youth leaders, representing the 12 Local Government Areas in the Orlu Senatorial District, maintained that incumbent Governor Hope Uzodimma emerged victorious in the APC senatorial primary election, insisting that the exercise was conducted in a free, fair and transparent manner.
Addressing journalists on Thursday in Owerri, the state capital, the party’s zonal youth leader, Joseph Anene, who spoke on behalf of the youths under the aegis of the Orlu Zone Youth Leadership Forum, said their position was informed by their direct involvement in the mobilisation and monitoring of party members across the various primary election venues.
Anene insisted that Uzodimma secured an overwhelming victory across the senatorial district, describing his emergence as the genuine expression of the democratic wishes of APC members in the zone.
The youth leaders also disputed claims surrounding Okorocha’s participation in the primary election, alleging that the former governor neither participated in nor was sighted at any of the election venues across the 12 local government areas during the exercise.
Reacting to the Federal High Court judgment delivered on October 26, 2026, the group said it did not reflect the outcome of the primary election as witnessed by party members.
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Although acknowledging the importance of the judiciary in Nigeria’s democratic process, the youth leaders declared their rejection of the judgment, maintaining that the mandate freely given to Uzodimma by APC members should be respected.
They also expressed support for the Imo State APC leadership’s decision to challenge the judgment on appeal, urging party members and supporters, particularly youths, to remain calm and law-abiding while the legal process continues.
The group further called for unity within the APC, stressing the need for members to remain committed to the party’s democratic principles and political stability ahead of the January 16, 2027 senatorial election.
The leaders said their declaration represented the collective position of the Orlu Zone Youth Leadership Forum and reaffirmed their solidarity with the APC leadership in the state.
The youths said they did not want the peace that had returned to Imo West Senatorial District (Orlu Zone) to be truncated.
They said that political actions must reflect the overwhelming will of the people so as to promote social justice and public peace.
Also present at the briefing were other youth representatives, including Victor Chinedu (Ideato North), Zachary Onuoha (Ideato South), Nnamdi Anochie (Nwangele), Gideon Onyejelem (Njaba), Stanley Ihezue (Orlu), Gabriel Ehirinne (Orsu), Chibuike Ogbeama (Oru East), Timothy (Oguta), Paul Toke (Ohaji-Egbema) and Adonis Iheka (Oru West).
