RismadarVoice Reporters
October 30, 2026
Former Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha has criticised Governor Hope Uzodimma’s political influence and announced plans to establish a Rainbow Coalition in Imo State to mobilise support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.
Okorocha made the remarks on Thursday during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, following a Federal High Court judgment recognising him as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the Imo West Senatorial District.
The former governor described Uzodimma as an opportunist, alleging that his political influence was largely confined to Abuja rather than the grassroots in Imo State.
He challenged the governor to demonstrate his popularity among residents, insisting that Uzodimma lacked the political strength to mobilise support across the South-East.
Okorocha also commended the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, for promoting political cooperation across party lines through the Rainbow Coalition initiative.
He said he intended to establish a similar alliance in Imo, bringing together politicians from the APC, Peoples Democratic Party and other political groups to support Tinubu’s second-term ambition.
The announcement comes amid disagreements between Wike and Uzodimma over the coalition. The Imo governor had earlier rejected the movement’s establishment in the state, insisting that APC members should support their party’s candidates.
Meanwhile, the Federal High Court in Abuja ruled on October 29 that Okorocha, rather than Uzodimma, won the disputed APC senatorial primary.
Justice Obiora Egwuatu directed the party and the Independent National Electoral Commission to recognise Okorocha as its candidate for the 2027 election.
The dispute arose after the APC initially declared Uzodimma the winner, citing 230,464 votes against Okorocha’s 1,098.
Okorocha subsequently challenged the result, questioning the authenticity of documents submitted during the nomination process.
The Imo State Government has rejected the judgment and indicated plans to challenge it at the Court of Appeal.
During the interview, Okorocha also questioned Uzodimma’s eligibility to seek a Senate seat while serving as governor, citing Section 183 of the Constitution.
However, the constitutional provision prohibits governors from simultaneously holding another executive office or paid employment; whether it prevents a sitting governor from contesting another elective position is a separate legal question.
Okorocha also described Peter Obi’s proposed four-year presidential tenure as a political gamble, arguing that the South-East should prioritise strategic alliances with other regions.
He maintained that his support for Tinubu was based on political calculations concerning the region’s future presidential ambitions.
