By Our Reporter
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Imo State has insisted that Governor Hope Uzodimma remains its candidate for the Imo West Senatorial District in the 2027 elections, despite a Federal High Court judgment recognising former governor Rochas Okorocha as the party’s legitimate flagbearer.
The party made its position known in a statement issued on Thursday by its State Publicity Secretary, Onwuasoanya Jones, in reaction to the judgment delivered by Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The court had nullified Uzodimma’s emergence as the APC senatorial candidate, ruling that Okorocha won the party’s primary conducted on May 18, 2026.
It consequently directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise Okorocha and publish his name as the party’s candidate for the January 16, 2027, senatorial election. The court also barred Uzodimma from presenting himself as the APC candidate for the poll.
However, the Imo APC maintained that Uzodimma secured the party’s ticket through the support of the majority of its members.
“The Party wishes to state without any confusion that His Excellency Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma, CON, remains the candidate of our Party for Imo West Senatorial District, having won the primaries of our great Party with the overwhelming support of the majority of our Party members,” the statement said.
The party added that its legal department would examine the judgment before deciding on the appropriate course of action.
“The Party’s legal department shall study the outcome of a legal intervention in this matter and act accordingly,” it stated.
The APC also urged its members and supporters to remain focused and committed to securing victories across the state’s constituencies in the forthcoming elections.
The dispute stems from the party’s senatorial primary held on May 18, 2026, during which Uzodimma was declared the winner with 230,464 votes, while Okorocha was credited with 1,098 votes, according to the results recognised by INEC.
Okorocha subsequently challenged the outcome in court, disputing Uzodimma’s nomination as the APC candidate for the senatorial district.
In its judgment on Thursday, the court held that Okorocha was the lawful winner of the primary and directed the party to submit his name to INEC.
The court also questioned inconsistencies in documents presented by the APC in support of Uzodimma’s nomination.
The party’s response has introduced fresh uncertainty into the contest, with the APC maintaining its position in favour of the governor while its legal department reviews the court’s decision.
The next steps by the party and the possible response from Uzodimma and Okorocha are expected to shape the direction of the dispute ahead of the 2027 senatorial election.