A Federal High Court 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 Imo West Senatorial District in the 2027 general elections, overturning the recognition of incumbent Governor Hope Uzodimma as the party’s nominee.
Justice Obiora Egwuatu delivered the judgment on Thursday, October 29, 2026, ruling that the evidence before the court established that Okorocha won the APC senatorial primary conducted on May 18, 2026. The court also directed Uzodimma to stop presenting himself as the party’s candidate for the district.
Key Highlights
- The Federal High Court in Abuja declared Rochas Okorocha the winner of the APC senatorial primary for Imo West.
- INEC was ordered to recognise Okorocha as the party’s candidate for the 2027 election.
- The APC was directed to submit Okorocha’s name to the electoral commission.
- The court ordered Governor Hope Uzodimma to stop presenting himself as the APC candidate for the district.
- INEC’s earlier result had listed Uzodimma with 230,464 votes and Okorocha with 1,098 votes.
- The judgment followed a legal challenge filed by Okorocha in suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1854/2026.
Court Rules in Okorocha’s Favour Over Imo West Senate Ticket
In his judgment, Justice Egwuatu held that the evidence presented before the court showed that Okorocha secured the majority of votes cast during the APC senatorial primary held on May 18, 2026.
The judge consequently directed the APC to forward Okorocha’s name to INEC as its duly nominated candidate for the Imo West Senatorial District election scheduled for January 16, 2027.
The ruling followed a legal dispute over the party’s primary election and the electoral commission’s recognition of Uzodimma as the APC candidate.
The court’s decision represents a major development in the party’s preparations for the 2027 general elections in Imo State.
INEC Had Earlier Recognised Uzodimma as Primary Winner
Before the judgment, INEC’s official results had recognised Uzodimma as the winner of the APC senatorial primary, with 230,464 votes, while Okorocha was credited with 1,098 votes.
The disputed outcome prompted Okorocha to challenge the commission’s recognition of Uzodimma as the party’s candidate.
The former governor argued that the primary election results and reports from officials who monitored the exercise supported his claim to the ticket.
The court’s ruling has now changed the position established by the earlier recognition, directing the relevant parties and INEC to recognise Okorocha as the winner.
Okorocha Challenged Uzodimma’s Nomination in Court
Okorocha instituted suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1854/2026 at the Federal High Court in Abuja, challenging INEC’s decision to recognise Uzodimma as the APC candidate for Imo West.
The suit named INEC, Uzodimma and the APC as respondents.
The former governor also raised questions about Uzodimma’s eligibility to contest the senatorial election while serving as governor of Imo State.
The legal dispute placed the party’s nomination process and the interpretation of relevant constitutional provisions at the centre of the controversy.
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Ruling Marks New Development in APC’s 2027 Election Preparations
The judgment introduces a significant change in the contest for the APC ticket in Imo West Senatorial District ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The court directed the APC to submit Okorocha’s name to INEC and ordered the electoral commission to recognise him as the party’s candidate.
The practical implementation of the judgment and any subsequent legal steps will be important in determining how the dispute progresses before the election.
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