Lucky Obukohwo Reporting
A Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice Obiora Egwuatu has nullified the recognition of Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Imo West Senatorial District in the 2027 elections, declaring former governor Rochas Okorocha the lawful winner of the party’s primary.
Justice Egwuatu ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to remove Uzodimma’s name from the list of candidates for the January 16, 2027 senatorial election and replace it with Okorocha’s.
The court also restrained the governor from presenting himself as the party’s candidate, ruling that he did not win the primary conducted on May 18, 2026.
The judge held that Uzodimma’s nomination violated Sections 29 and 32 of the Electoral Act and breached the APC’s primary election guidelines.
“The publication of Hope Uzodimma’s name by INEC as the winner of the primary election is wrongful and unlawful,” the judge ruled, directing the APC to submit Okorocha’s name to the electoral commission.
Egwuatu questioned the credibility of documents submitted by the APC to justify Uzodimma’s nomination, citing significant contradictions in accounts of how the primary was conducted.
While one document indicated that Option A4 was used, another claimed Uzodimma emerged through consensus, while a third stated that a direct primary was held.
The judge described the inconsistencies as evidence that the documents were unreliable, adding that documents certified and released to Okorocha indicated he secured the majority of lawful votes across the district’s 10 local government areas.
He also faulted INEC for recognising Uzodimma despite evidence from its own officials indicating that Okorocha won the primary.
INEC had recognised Uzodimma as the winner, with official results reportedly showing he polled 230,464 votes against Okorocha’s 1,098.
However, a separate document later circulated, purporting to show that Okorocha won with 150,780 votes.
Okorocha subsequently filed suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1854/2026, challenging the results and Uzodimma’s recognition as the APC candidate.
He also questioned the governor’s eligibility to contest the senatorial election while still in office.
Reacting to the judgment, Okorocha’s counsel, O.J. Aboje, described the ruling as a vindication of his client, who had faced media allegations of forging election results.
