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The Imo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has insisted that Governor Hope Uzodimma remains its candidate for the Imo West Senatorial District in the 2027 general elections, despite a Federal High Court judgment recognising former governor Rochas Okorocha as the winner of the party’s senatorial primary. The party’s position has introduced another layer of uncertainty into the political contest, raising questions about the future of the APC ticket and the legal steps that may follow the court’s decision. The dispute comes as political activities and preparations for the 2027 elections continue to gather momentum across Nigeria.In a statement issued on Thursday, October 29, 2026, the Imo APC maintained that Uzodimma secured the party’s ticket through a primary election in which he enjoyed the support of the majority of its members. The statement, attributed to the party’s state publicity secretary, Onwuasoanya Jones, reaffirmed the party’s position that the governor remained its authentic candidate for the senatorial district. The APC’s declaration came only hours after the Federal High Court in Abuja delivered a judgment that favoured Okorocha in the long-running dispute over the party’s nomination.
The party stated that its position on Uzodimma’s candidacy remained unchanged, insisting that the governor had emerged victorious in the primary conducted to select the APC’s flagbearer for Imo West. It also urged members and supporters to remain focused and avoid being distracted by the controversy surrounding the judgment. According to the party, its immediate priority remains strengthening its political structures and working towards electoral victories across constituencies in Imo State. Nevertheless, its continued recognition of Uzodimma raises questions about how it intends to reconcile its position with the court’s orders.
The Federal High Court, presided over by Justice Obiora Egwuatu, had ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise Okorocha as the APC candidate for Imo West Senatorial District. The court also directed Uzodimma to stop presenting himself as the party’s candidate for the senatorial election scheduled for January 16, 2027. In reaching its decision, the court held that the evidence before it established that Okorocha secured the majority of votes in the party’s primary conducted on May 18, 2026. The ruling therefore directly challenges the position maintained by the Imo APC leadership.The dispute arose from conflicting claims concerning the outcome of the APC senatorial primary. Reports on the recognised result indicated that Uzodimma was declared winner with 230,464 votes, while Okorocha was recorded as having polled 1,098 votes. Okorocha subsequently challenged the recognition of Uzodimma by INEC, arguing that the commission should take account of the reports and evidence arising from the primary election it monitored. His legal action sought to overturn the recognition of the incumbent governor and secure judicial confirmation of his own claim to the party’s ticket.
Okorocha, who governed Imo State from 2011 to 2019, is a prominent figure in the state’s political landscape. His legal challenge has placed him in direct competition with Uzodimma over the right to represent the APC in the Imo West senatorial election. The court’s decision represents a significant development for the former governor, as it grants judicial support to his claim that he won the disputed primary. However, the APC’s subsequent statement shows that the political disagreement has not ended with the judgment, and the parties may still have further legal questions to address.Reacting to the ruling, the Imo APC said its legal department would study the judgment before determining the appropriate course of action. This suggests that the party intends to examine the court’s reasoning and consider the legal options available to it. Depending on the outcome of that review, the party may pursue further proceedings through the appropriate judicial channels. Until its next steps become clearer, the dispute is likely to remain a subject of discussion among party members, political stakeholders and observers monitoring the build-up to the 2027 elections.
The controversy also places INEC in a critical position because the commission is responsible for administering elections and publishing candidates in accordance with the applicable electoral framework and valid judicial decisions. The court has directed the commission to recognise Okorocha and remove Uzodimma’s name as the APC candidate for the district. The practical implications of the judgment will therefore depend on the steps taken by the relevant parties and the electoral commission, as well as any further orders that may emerge from subsequent legal proceedings. The APC’s insistence alone does not cancel or overturn the court’s ruling.
The development is significant because it involves a sitting governor and a former governor competing for a senatorial ticket within the same political party. Beyond the personalities involved, the dispute highlights the importance of transparent party primaries, credible electoral documentation and compliance with judicial decisions. Internal disagreements over nominations can weaken party cohesion, divert attention from campaign preparations and create uncertainty among supporters. For the APC, resolving the controversy through lawful procedures will be important to maintaining unity and presenting a clear position ahead of the forthcoming election.
For voters in Imo West, the immediate concern is who will ultimately appear as the APC’s recognised candidate for the senatorial contest. The constituency’s electoral choices should be determined through a process that respects the law, the applicable electoral requirements and the rights of eligible candidates. While political parties have the right to defend their interests through lawful means, their positions must be considered alongside binding judicial orders and any subsequent decisions made by competent courts. The continuing dispute makes the legal status of the APC ticket an important issue to watch as the election approaches.
As the 2027 general elections draw closer, the disagreement between the Imo APC’s leadership and the Federal High Court’s ruling is likely to remain a major political issue in the state. The party has maintained its support for Uzodimma while promising to review the judgment, whereas the court has ordered INEC to recognise Okorocha as the party’s candidate for Imo West. The eventual outcome will depend on the applicable legal process and any further judicial developments. For now, the controversy underscores a fundamental principle of democratic governance: political claims must ultimately be tested against the law, and the resolution of electoral disputes must follow due process.
