A Federal High Court in Abuja has nullified the recognition of Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the Imo West Senatorial District ahead of the 2027 general elections, ordering the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to publish former governor Rochas Okorocha in his place.

Presiding over the suit, Justice Obiora Egwuatu restrained Governor Uzodimma from parading himself as the party's senatorial candidate for the January 16, 2027 election, ruling categorically that he did not win the APC’s May 18, 2026 primary.

The court declared that Okorocha emerged as the lawful winner of the primary—which was duly monitored by INEC officials—having secured the majority of votes cast across the ten local government areas making up the senatorial district.

Justice Egwuatu held that Uzodimma’s nomination violated Sections 29 and 32 of the Electoral Act and failed to comply with the party’s internal guidelines for primary elections. He described the submission of Uzodimma's name to INEC as unlawful and fraudulent.

In reviewing the evidence, the judge heavily faulted the authenticity of documents presented by the APC to back Uzodimma’s candidacy, pointing out glaring contradictions:

While one party document claimed the primary was conducted via Option A4, a member of the National Working Committee (NWC) asserted it was a consensus arrangement, yet another NWC member claimed a direct primary took place.

Justice Egwuatu noted that the conflicting accounts and allocated votes cast severe doubt on the documents, rendering them devoid of probative value..

The court emphasized that INEC is legally bound by the official reports compiled by its own field officers who monitored the primary election won by Okorocha.
ID