A fresh political battle has erupted between former Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha and his successor, Governor Hope Uzodimma, over the All Progressives Congress senatorial ticket for Imo West ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Okorocha, who represented Imo West in the Senate from 2019 to 2023, has approached the Federal High Court in Abuja, asking it to nullify the Independent National Electoral Commission’s publication of Uzodimma as the APC candidate.

The suit, filed on Aug. 13, is also challenging the outcome of the APC senatorial primary conducted on May 18, 2026.

The former governor claims he won the primary with 150,780 votes against Uzodimma’s 102,158 votes. However, the APC returning officer declared Uzodimma winner with 230,464 votes, while Okorocha was credited with 1,098 votes.

Beyond the disputed primary, the case has raised a constitutional question over Uzodimma’s eligibility to contest for the Senate while still serving as governor.

Uzodimma began his second term on Jan. 15, 2024, and his tenure is expected to end on Jan. 15, 2028. The 2027 senatorial election and inauguration of the 11th Senate are expected to take place before the end of his tenure.

Okorocha is relying partly on Section 183 of the 1999 Constitution, which states that a governor shall not, while holding office, hold another executive office or paid employment.

Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Monday Ubani, described the issue as a complex and novel constitutional question requiring judicial interpretation.

He said the court would have to consider several preliminary issues, including whether the suit was properly brought as a pre-election matter and whether Okorocha had the necessary legal standing to challenge Uzodimma’s candidacy.

However, President of the African Bar Association, Hannibal Uwaifo, said there would be no constitutional crisis if Uzodimma won the election and resigned as governor before taking his seat in the Senate.

Uwaifo argued that Uzodimma could contest the election but could not simultaneously serve as governor and senator.

The Federal High Court will therefore have to determine both the validity of the disputed APC primary and the constitutional implications of Uzodimma seeking a Senate seat before his tenure as governor expires.