Imo West Senate Ticket Dispute Deepens After Court Ruling

The political contest for the Imo West Senatorial District seat ahead of the 2027 general elections has taken a fresh turn following a Federal High Court judgment recognising former Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate and nullifying the nomination of incumbent Governor Hope Uzodimma.

The ruling has exposed divisions within the Imo APC, with Okorocha’s camp celebrating the decision while the state chapter of the party insists that Uzodimma remains its candidate.

Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court in Abuja delivered the judgment in a suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1854/2026, filed by Okorocha to challenge the outcome of the APC senatorial primary conducted on May 18, 2026.

The court held that Okorocha secured the majority of lawful votes cast during the primary and was therefore entitled to the party’s ticket for the January 16, 2027 senatorial election.

Justice Egwuatu consequently nullified the recognition of Uzodimma as the APC candidate and directed the party to forward Okorocha’s name to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The judge also restrained Uzodimma from presenting himself as the party’s senatorial candidate for the election.

In reaching the decision, the court examined documents submitted by the APC to support the governor’s nomination and identified inconsistencies in the accounts of how the primary was conducted.

One document indicated that the party used the Option A4 method, while another suggested that Uzodimma emerged through a consensus arrangement. A separate document claimed that a direct primary was conducted.

The judge questioned how the party could rely on different accounts of the same exercise while also presenting figures showing votes allocated to the aspirants.

He said the contradictions raised serious doubts about the documents submitted to justify Uzodimma’s nomination.

The court also considered documents signed, certified and released to Okorocha following a formal request. According to the judgment, the records showed that the former governor secured the majority of lawful votes across the 10 local government areas in Imo West Senatorial District.

The disputed primary had produced sharply conflicting figures. One set of results reportedly credited Uzodimma with 230,464 votes and Okorocha with 1,098 votes, while another document relied upon by the former governor indicated that he secured 150,780 votes.

Justice Egwuatu held that the publication of Uzodimma’s name by INEC as the winner of the primary was wrongful and unlawful.

The judge further ruled that the nomination violated Sections 29 and 32 of the Electoral Act and failed to comply with the APC’s guidelines for conducting primary elections.

Okorocha’s legal team welcomed the decision, describing it as a vindication of the former governor after weeks of disagreement over the authenticity of documents connected to the primary.

His counsel, O.J. Aboje, said the judgment had addressed allegations that his client relied on forged documents to challenge the governor’s nomination.

Okorocha’s Special Adviser on Media, Sam Onwuemeodo, also welcomed the ruling, describing it as a victory for the judiciary, constitutional democracy and the people of Imo State.

He said the celebrations that followed the judgment, particularly in Imo West, reflected the support enjoyed by the former governor.

Okorocha also expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu, the APC leadership and residents of Imo State for their support during the legal battle.

However, the judgment has not ended the political disagreement within the APC. The Imo State chapter of the party has maintained that Uzodimma remains its candidate, arguing that he won the May 18 primary with the support of party members.

The party’s State Publicity Secretary, Onwuasoanya FCC Jones, said its legal department would study the judgment and determine the appropriate next steps.

He urged party members and supporters to remain focused on preparations for the 2027 general elections rather than allow the dispute to distract them.

The state government has also rejected the ruling. Commissioner for Information, Declan Emelumba, said Uzodimma’s camp would pursue available legal remedies at the Court of Appeal.

Emelumba questioned the competence of Okorocha’s case, arguing that it was filed outside the period allowed for pre-election disputes. He said the primary was conducted on May 18, while Okorocha filed his suit on August 13, 2026.

He also argued that the allegations involving disputed documents should not have been determined through the procedure adopted in the case.

The disagreement is particularly significant because Uzodimma is still serving as governor, with his current tenure expected to end in January 2028. Okorocha had also asked the court to determine whether the governor could contest another paid elective office while his governorship tenure was still running.

The judgment has therefore introduced another legal and political challenge for the APC as it prepares for the 2027 elections. While Okorocha is relying on the court order directing INEC to recognise him, Uzodimma’s camp is preparing to challenge the decision.

Until the appeal process and any further judicial proceedings are concluded, the dispute is likely to remain a major issue within the party’s political structure in Imo State.

For now, the ruling has placed the Imo West senatorial ticket at the centre of a contest involving two prominent APC figures, with the final outcome expected to shape the party’s preparations for the 2027 election.