Former Governor of Imo state ,Sen. Rochas Okorocha has approached the Federal High Court in Abuja over the nomination of Hope Uzodimma, the state governor, as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Imo West senatorial district in the 2027 election.
In the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1854/2026, filed on August 13 by O.J. Aboje, counsel to Okorocha, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Uzodimma and the APC are listed as respondents.
Okorocha, who represented Imo West in the Senate, from 2019 -2023 is challenging INEC’s decision to publish Uzodimma’s name as the winner of the APC senatorial primary held in May.
The former governor contested the APC ticket against Uzodimma in the May primary. Williams Kayode, chairman and returning officer of the 2026 Imo APC national assembly primary election committee, declared Uzodimma the winner with 230,464 votes.
But, in his suit, Okorocha is praying the court to determine whether INEC is bound by the reports submitted by its officials who monitored the primary conducted on May 18.
He is also challenging the publication of Uzodimma’s name, citing Section 183 of the 1999 Constitution, which provides that a sitting governor cannot hold another executive office or paid employment while in office.
Uzodimma who was reelected in January 2024, is by the constitution expected to finish his tenure in January 2028, while the 11th Senate which he seeks to be part of is scheduled to be inaugurated in June 2027.
Okorocha is asking the court to declare the publication of Uzodimma’s name unconstitutional and void on the grounds that he did not emerge as the winner of the primary.
He is also asking for an order directing INEC to recognise and publish his name as the APC’s duly nominated candidate for Imo West.
The former governor further requests the court to stop Uzodimma, the APC or anyone acting on his behalf from presenting him as the party’s candidate for the election.
The affidavit supporting the suit was deposed to by Amen Rochas, Okorocha’s son.
He alleged that the APC conducted a direct primary on May 18 and that his father won with 150,780 votes, while Uzodimma scored 102,158 votes.
2027: Okorocha Asks Court To Declare Uzodinma's Senational Nomination Unconstitutional
