Court Orders Uzodimma to Stop Claiming APC Imo West Senate Ticket, Declares Okorocha Winner

The Federal High Court in Abuja has reportedly ordered Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma to stop presenting himself as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the Imo West Senatorial District in the 2027 general election.

Justice Obiora Egwuatu reportedly issued the order on Thursday after ruling on a legal dispute over the APC’s senatorial primary held on May 18.

According to the report, the judge held that former Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha secured the majority of votes cast in the primary and ordered the APC to submit his name to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as its candidate for Imo West.

The court also reportedly directed INEC to recognise Okorocha as the party’s lawful candidate and publish his name for the election scheduled for January 2027.

The ruling follows a legal battle in which Okorocha challenged INEC’s recognition of Uzodimma as the APC’s candidate. The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1854/2026, named INEC, the APC and Uzodimma as respondents.

The case had raised conflicting accounts of the May primary results. Okorocha’s legal team argued that he won the contest, while Uzodimma, the APC and INEC disputed his claims. Earlier reports said the governor and the party had asked the court to dismiss the suit, arguing that it was filed outside the constitutionally prescribed time limit.

The reported judgment could significantly affect the APC’s preparations for the Imo West senatorial contest. However, the certified judgment and any subsequent legal steps will be important in establishing the precise scope and status of the court’s orders.