Use Ongoing Uzodimma Case to Restore Public Confidence in Courts — CSO Tells Judiciary

A coalition of Nigerian civil society organisations has urged the judiciary to use the ongoing legal dispute involving Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma and former governor Rochas Okorocha as an opportunity to restore public confidence in the courts.

The coalition said the case presents an important test of judicial independence and credibility, particularly amid lingering public debate over previous court decisions involving Imo State.

In a statement issued in Bauchi on Sunday, the organisations questioned conflicting accounts surrounding Uzodimma’s emergence as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the Imo West Senatorial District in the 2027 general elections.

According to the coalition, Uzodimma had claimed he secured the party ticket through Option A4, while the APC national leadership reportedly told the Federal High Court that his emergence followed a consensus arrangement. The group described the accounts as contradictory and called for the issues to be examined through the appropriate legal process.

The organisations also recalled the January 2020 Supreme Court judgment that overturned Emeka Ihedioha’s election as Imo governor and declared Uzodimma the winner. The ruling attracted public controversy and criticism, which the coalition said contributed to concerns about confidence in the judiciary.

The latest dispute followed a Federal High Court judgment delivered by Justice Obiora Egwuatu on October 29, 2026, which favoured Okorocha in the contest over the APC’s Imo West senatorial ticket. The APC’s Imo chapter has rejected the ruling and maintained that Uzodimma remains its candidate, saying it would pursue available legal remedies.

The coalition urged the courts to determine the matter strictly on the evidence and applicable law, without political pressure or interference. It warned against any attempt to manipulate the judicial process and said the outcome should demonstrate that no political figure is above the law.

The statement was signed by Job Samuel Danfulani of the Centre for Public Integrity, John Samuel Nangi of Nigeria Integrity Watch, Mohammed Ibrahim Sumaila of the Northern Council of Nigeria, Abdullahi Salisu of the Nigeria Ethnic Nationality Forum, and Hassana Mohammed of the Foundation for Democracy in Africa.

The group also commended Justice Egwuatu for what it described as his commitment to judicial integrity, while urging the judiciary to ensure that the ongoing proceedings strengthen rather than further weaken public trust in the courts.