The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma to stop presenting himself as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the Imo West Senatorial District election scheduled for 16 January 2027.
Justice Obiora Egwuatu issued the order on Thursday after ruling that Uzodinma did not win the party’s senatorial primary held on 18 May 2026 and monitored by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The judge held that evidence presented in court showed that former Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha secured the majority of votes cast during the primary.
He ordered the APC to submit Okorocha’s name to INEC as its candidate for the 2027 general election.
Justice Egwuatu also directed INEC to accept Okorocha as the party’s lawful candidate and publish his name.
Court questions documents used to nominate Uzodinma
The court found that most documents used to nominate Uzodinma were fabricated, according to the report of the ruling. It said the documents breached provisions of the 1999 Constitution and the Electoral Act.
The order affects the APC’s nomination for the Imo West Senatorial District election. However, further details about the ruling and any possible appeal were not immediately available.
Uzodinma is the incumbent governor of Imo State. His tenure is scheduled to end on 14 January 2028.
The court’s decision places Okorocha at the centre of the dispute over the APC’s candidate for the Imo West seat in the 2027 elections.
Further details are expected as more information about the judgment becomes available.
