APC Insists Uzodimma Remains Imo West Candidate Despite Court Ruling

Imo APC maintains Hope Uzodimma remains its candidate for the 2027 senatorial election despite a court judgment recognising Rochas Okorocha as the primary winner.

Damilare Adebayo · October 29, 2026 · 7

The Imo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has insisted that Governor Hope Uzodimma remains its candidate for Imo West Senatorial District in the 2027 elections, despite a Federal High Court judgment declaring former governor Rochas Okorocha the winner of the party’s primary.

The party stated its position on Thursday in a statement issued by its State Publicity Secretary, Onwuasoanya Jones, following the judgment delivered by Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court in Abuja.

The court ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise Okorocha as the APC’s candidate for Imo West and directed Uzodimma to stop presenting himself as the party’s candidate for the senatorial election scheduled for January 16, 2027.

However, the Imo APC maintained that Uzodimma secured the party’s ticket through its primary election, insisting that he received overwhelming support from party members.

“The Party wishes to state without any confusion that His Excellency Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma, CON, remains the candidate of our Party for 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 said.

The party also indicated that it would examine the court’s decision before determining its next course of action.

“The Party’s legal department shall study the outcome of a legal intervention in this matter and act accordingly,” it added.

The dispute stems from the APC senatorial primary held on May 18, 2026. According to reported results, Uzodimma was declared the winner, while Okorocha challenged the outcome in court.

In its judgment, the court held that Okorocha had won the primary and directed the relevant parties to recognise his candidacy.

The conflicting positions have created uncertainty over who will represent the APC in the Imo West senatorial contest.

While the court ordered INEC to recognise Okorocha, the state chapter of the party has maintained its support for Uzodimma and said it would consider its legal options.

The party’s next steps will be important in determining how the dispute proceeds ahead of the 2027 general elections.