By Mardiyyah Abubakar
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Imo State has insisted that Governor Hope Uzodimma remains its candidate for the Imo West Senatorial District in the 2027 elections, despite a Federal High Court ruling recognising former governor Rochas Okorocha as the party’s candidate.
The party stated its position in a statement signed by its State Publicity Secretary, Onwuasoanya Jones, on Thursday, following the judgment delivered by Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The court ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to publish Okorocha’s name as the APC candidate for the senatorial district. It also directed Uzodimma to stop presenting himself as the party’s candidate for the January 16, 2027 election.
However, the APC maintained that Uzodimma remained its candidate, arguing that he won the party’s primary with overwhelming support from its members.
“The Party wishes to state without any confusion that His Excellency Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma, CON, remains the candidate of our Party for Imo West Senatorial District, having won the primaries of our great Party with the overwhelming support of the majority of our Party members,” the statement read.
The party said its legal department would study the judgment and determine the appropriate next steps.
It also urged members and supporters to remain focused and committed to securing victories across the state’s constituencies.
The dispute followed the APC senatorial primary held on May 18, 2026, in which Uzodimma was declared the winner with 230,464 votes, while Okorocha polled 1,098 votes, according to results recognised by INEC.
Okorocha subsequently challenged the outcome in court, disputing Uzodimma’s recognition as the party’s candidate.
In its ruling on Thursday, the court held that Okorocha was the lawful winner of the primary and ordered the APC to submit his name to INEC. It also questioned inconsistencies in documents the party presented to support Uzodimma’s nomination.
