The federal high court in Abuja has ordered Imo state governor, Hope Uzodimma, to stop parading himself as the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for Imo west senatorial district in the 2027 elections.
Justice Obiora Egwuatu, the presiding judge, on Thursday, held that the evidence before the court shows that Uzodimma did not win the APC Imo west senatorial district primary
The court also ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission to publish the name of former Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, as the All Progressives Congress candidate for the Imo West Senatorial District in the 2027 general elections.
The judge gave the orders in his judgment on a suit filed by Okorocha challenging Uzodimma’s recognition as the party’s candidate.
Justice Egwuatu held that evidence before the court established that Okorocha won the May 18, 2026 APC primary election monitored by INEC.
The court consequently directed the APC to submit Okorocha’s name to INEC as its candidate for the election.
The dispute followed conflicting claims over the outcome of the party’s primary, with INEC’s official results recognising Uzodimma as the winner with 230,464 votes, against Okorocha’s 1,098 votes.
Okorocha challenged the outcome in suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1854/2026, questioning INEC’s recognition of Uzodimma and raising issues concerning the governor’s eligibility to contest the senatorial election while in office.
Citing section 183 of the 1999 constitution, Okorocha asked the court to determine whether the publication of Uzodimma’s name by INEC as winner of the primary was lawful.
Section 183 of the 1999 Constitution states that: “The Governor shall not, during the period when he holds office, hold any other executive office or paid employment in any capacity whatsoever.”
