A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to publish former Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the Imo West Senatorial District election scheduled for January 16, 2027.

 

The court also directed Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma to immediately stop presenting himself as the APC candidate for the senatorial seat following a dispute over the party’s primary election.

 

Justice Obiora Egwuatu issued the orders after ruling that Uzodimma did not win the APC senatorial primary conducted on May 18, 2026, which was monitored by INEC.

 

Court Rules in Okorocha’s Favour

 

In his judgment, Justice Egwuatu held that the evidence presented before the court established that Okorocha secured the majority of votes cast during the APC primary.

 

The judge consequently ruled that the former governor was entitled to recognition as the winner of the party’s primary for Imo West.

 

The court ordered the APC to submit Okorocha’s name to INEC as its duly nominated candidate for the senatorial election in the 2027 general elections.

 

INEC was also directed to immediately publish Okorocha’s name as the winner of the party’s primary, in line with the court’s decision.

 

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Uzodimma Ordered to Stop Claiming APC Ticket

 

The judgment also addressed Uzodimma’s claim to the APC ticket for Imo West.

 

Justice Egwuatu ordered the governor to immediately stop presenting himself as the party’s senatorial candidate, following the court’s finding that he did not win the primary election.

 

The ruling settles the dispute before the court over who emerged victorious in the APC primary, with the judge recognising Okorocha as the candidate entitled to the party’s nomination.

 

Implications for the 2027 Imo West Election

 

The decision marks a significant development in the contest for the APC ticket in Imo West ahead of the January 16, 2027 senatorial election.

 

It also places the party under a court directive to forward Okorocha’s name to INEC for publication as its candidate.

 

The development is expected to shape the APC’s preparations for the election, although any further legal steps or responses from the parties involved would determine how the dispute proceeds.

 

For now, the court’s ruling directs the APC and INEC to recognise and publish Okorocha as the party’s candidate for Imo West, while Uzodimma has been ordered to stop presenting himself as the nominee.