RismadarVoice Reporters
October 29, 2026
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Imo State has insisted that Governor Hope Uzodinma remains its candidate for the Imo West Senatorial District in the 2027 elections, despite a Federal High Court judgment nullifying his nomination.
The party disclosed its position on Thursday, October 29, following a ruling by Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court in Abuja, which recognised former Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha as the duly nominated APC candidate.
In a statement issued by its State Publicity Secretary, Onwuasoanya FCC Jones, the APC maintained that Uzodinma emerged victorious in the party’s senatorial primary election conducted on May 18, 2026.
The party disputed reports suggesting that the governor had been replaced, insisting that his nomination reflected the choice of its members.
Jones explained that the party’s legal department would examine the judgment and determine the appropriate course of action.
He also urged APC members and supporters across Imo State to remain focused and committed to the party’s preparations for the forthcoming elections.
Earlier, Justice Egwuatu ruled that evidence presented before the court established that Okorocha, rather than Uzodinma, secured the majority of valid votes during the disputed primary election.
The court consequently ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to remove Uzodinma’s name and recognise Okorocha as the APC candidate for the Imo West senatorial election scheduled for January 16, 2027.
The judge also directed the APC to forward Okorocha’s name to INEC and restrained Uzodinma from presenting himself as the party’s candidate.
The judgment followed a suit filed by Okorocha in August, challenging the circumstances surrounding Uzodinma’s nomination and INEC’s recognition of the governor.
The court held that the nomination did not comply with the party’s primary election guidelines and relevant provisions of the Electoral Act.
Although the APC has publicly maintained its support for Uzodinma, the judgment remains a subsisting court decision unless overturned or stayed by a competent appellate court.
The party has not formally confirmed the filing of an appeal.
The development has renewed the political contest between Uzodinma and Okorocha, who previously represented Imo West in the Senate between 2019 and 2023.
