By Willy Okonji,
The Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday nullified the emergence of Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the Imo West Senatorial District election scheduled for January 16, 2027.
In a judgment delivered by Justice Obiora Egwuatu, the court held that evidence before it showed that Uzodinma did not emerge as the valid winner of the party’s senatorial primary election conducted on May 18 and monitored by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The court ruled that former Imo State Governor and senator, Rochas Okorocha, secured the highest number of votes cast during the primary and was therefore entitled to the party’s ticket.
Consequently, Justice Egwuatu directed INEC to recognise Okorocha as the authentic APC candidate for the Imo West senatorial contest and publish his name accordingly.
The judge further restrained Uzodinma from parading himself as the APC candidate for the election, effectively nullifying his nomination by the party.
The ruling places Okorocha in line to represent the APC in the forthcoming senatorial election, subject to the implementation of the court’s orders and any subsequent legal developments.
The Imo West senatorial seat is among the political contests expected to feature prominently ahead of the 2027 general elections.
