The Federal High Court in Abuja has sacked Governor Hope Uzodimma as the APC senatorial candidate for Imo West and ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to publish former Governor Rochas Okorocha as the rightful candidate.
Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma to immediately stop parading himself as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the Imo West Senatorial District election scheduled for January 16, 2027.
The judge issued the order on Thursday after ruling that Uzodinma did not win the APC senatorial primary election held on May 18 and monitored by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
In his judgment, Egwuatu held that evidence presented before the court established that former Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha secured the majority of votes cast during the primary election and should be recognised as the winner.
Consequently, the judge directed the APC to submit Okorocha’s name to INEC as its candidate for the Imo West Senatorial District in the 2027 general elections.
He further ordered INEC to accept Okorocha as the party’s lawful candidate and immediately publish his name.
The court also found that most of the documents used in Uzodinma’s nomination were fabricated, describing the process as a violation of the 1999 Constitution and the Electoral Act.
Uzodinma is currently serving as governor of Imo State, with his tenure scheduled to end on January 14, 2028.
This comes amid a rift between Uzodinma and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
During a recent campaign in Imo State, Uzodinma attacked Wike’s emerging Rainbow Coalition.
