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 ruling recognizing former governor Rochas Okorocha as the party’s candidate.
The APC stated this in a press release signed by its State Publicity Secretary, Onwuasoanya Jones, on Thursday, in reaction to the judgment delivered by Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The court had 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 parading himself as the party’s candidate for the January 16, 2027 election.
However, the party 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 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 also stated that its legal department would study the judgment and determine its next steps.
“The Party’s legal department shall study the outcome of a legal intervention in this matter and act accordingly,” it said.
The APC likewise called on its members and supporters to stay focused and dedicated to winning victories in constituencies throughout the state.
The dispute arose after the May 18, 2026, APC senatorial primary, in which Uzodimma was declared the winner with 230,464 votes while Okorocha received 1,098 votes, according to the results recognized by INEC.
Okorocha later contested the outcome in court, challenging Uzodimma’s recognition as the party’s candidate.
In its ruling on Thursday, the court determined that Okorocha was the rightful winner of the primary and directed the APC to forward his name to INEC.
It also criticized inconsistencies in the documents the party submitted to back Uzodimma’s nomination.
