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 ruling recognizing former Governor Rochas Okorocha as the party’s candidate
State Publicity Secretary Onwuasoanya Jones stated this on Thursday after a Federal High Court judgment nullified Uzodimma’s recognition as the party’s candidate.
The court ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to publish Okorocha’s name as the APC candidate for the senatorial district and directed Uzodimma to stop presenting himself as the party’s candidate for the January 16, 2027, election.
However, the APC said Uzodimma remained its candidate, having won the party’s primary with 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 the 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 read.
The party added that its legal department would study the judgment and determine its next steps.
“The Party’s legal department shall study the outcome of the legal intervention in this matter and act accordingly,” it said.
The APC also urged its members and supporters to remain focused and committed to securing victories across the state’s constituencies.
The dispute followed the May 18, 2026 APC senatorial primary, in which Uzodimma was declared the winner with 230,464 votes, while Okorocha polled 1,098 votes, according to the results recognized by INEC.
Okorocha subsequently challenged the outcome in court, disputing Uzodimma’s recognition as the party’s candidate.
In its ruling on Thursday, the court held that Okorocha was the lawful winner of the primary and ordered the APC to submit his name to INEC.
It also faulted inconsistencies in the documents the party presented to support Uzodimma’s nomination.
