The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise former Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the Imo West Senatorial election scheduled for January 16, 2027.
The ruling followed the court’s decision to invalidate the nomination of incumbent Governor Hope Uzodinma, who had been presented as the party’s candidate for the senatorial contest.
Delivering judgment on Thursday, Justice Obiora Egwuatu held that the evidence presented before the court did not establish Uzodinma as the legitimate winner of the APC primary election.
The disputed primary was conducted on May 18 in the Imo West Senatorial District under the supervision of party officials and was monitored by INEC.
According to the court, the evidence showed that Okorocha secured the highest number of votes cast during the exercise.
Justice Egwuatu consequently ruled that the former governor, rather than Uzodinma, was entitled to the party’s nomination for the forthcoming National Assembly election.
The court directed INEC to immediately recognise Okorocha as the authentic APC candidate and publish his name accordingly.
It also issued an order restraining Uzodinma from presenting himself as the party’s candidate for the senatorial election.
The judgment effectively overturns Uzodinma’s nomination and places Okorocha in the position of the APC’s recognised candidate, subject to any subsequent legal proceedings.
The ruling centres on the validity of the party’s nomination process and the responsibility of political parties to recognise candidates who emerge through their duly conducted primaries.
By relying on the evidence of votes recorded during the May 18 exercise, the court determined that Okorocha had a stronger claim to the nomination.
The decision also places responsibility on INEC to reflect the court’s directive in its records and published list of candidates for the election.
Both politicians have previously occupied prominent positions in Imo State politics, with Okorocha having served as governor before Uzodinma assumed office.
Okorocha has also represented Imo West in the Senate, making the constituency a familiar political territory for the former governor.
The judgment introduces a significant development into preparations for the senatorial election, particularly regarding the APC’s representation on the ballot.
However, the information provided did not indicate whether Uzodinma or the APC intended to challenge the decision at the Court of Appeal.
It also did not include any immediate reaction from Okorocha, Uzodinma or the party’s national leadership.
Unless overturned or stayed by a higher court, the Federal High Court’s orders require INEC to recognise Okorocha and prevent Uzodinma from contesting the election as the APC candidate.
Ezeana Emmanuel
