Former Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha has welcomed a Federal High Court judgment declaring him the lawful winner of the All Progressives Congress primary election for Imo West Senatorial District ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Okorocha described the ruling as a victory for the judiciary, democracy and the Nigerian Constitution following a prolonged dispute over the party’s senatorial ticket with incumbent Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma.
The Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice Obiora Egwuatu, ruled on Thursday, October 29, 2026, that Okorocha won the APC primary conducted on May 18, 2026, and ordered the party to submit his name to the Independent National Electoral Commission as its candidate for the senatorial district.
The court also directed INEC to replace Uzodimma’s name with that of Okorocha and restrained the governor from presenting himself as the APC’s candidate for the Imo West Senatorial District election scheduled for January 16, 2027.
The judgment followed a lawsuit filed by Okorocha challenging the recognition of Uzodimma as the winner of the party’s primary. The former governor argued that the outcome announced by the party did not reflect the results of the exercise monitored by INEC officials.
In its ruling, the court identified inconsistencies in documents submitted by the APC to support Uzodimma’s nomination. Justice Egwuatu held that the evidence before the court established that Okorocha had won the primary and was entitled to be recognised as the party’s candidate.
The dispute had generated controversy within the APC, with Okorocha challenging the nomination process and the electoral commission’s recognition of Uzodimma.
Reacting to the judgment, Okorocha described the decision as a landmark ruling and maintained that the court had vindicated his position in the dispute. His legal team also welcomed the outcome, describing it as confirmation of the arguments presented during the proceedings.
The ruling represents a significant development in the political contest for Imo West, particularly because Uzodimma is the incumbent governor and a prominent figure within the ruling party. The dispute also highlights the legal challenges that can arise when political parties face disagreements over the conduct and results of primary elections.
However, the judgment may not necessarily bring the dispute to an immediate end, as the affected parties retain the option of pursuing further legal action. Any appeal or subsequent court decision could influence the final resolution of the nomination dispute ahead of the 2027 election.
For now, the court has ordered the APC to forward Okorocha’s name to INEC, placing the former governor in a stronger position in his bid to return to the Senate. The next developments will depend on the parties’ responses to the judgment and the steps taken by the electoral commission to comply with the court’s directives.
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