Hope Uzodimma
ABUJA — Former Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha has welcomed a Federal High Court judgment that nullified Governor Hope Uzodimma’s recognition as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Imo West Senatorial District, declaring that justice has finally prevailed.
Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday ruled that Uzodimma did not win the APC senatorial primary conducted on May 18, 2026, which was monitored by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The court held that Okorocha secured the majority of votes and is the lawful winner entitled to the party’s ticket for the January 16, 2027 election.
The judge restrained Uzodimma from presenting himself as the APC candidate, set aside INEC’s August 1 publication of the governor’s name, and ordered the commission to publish Okorocha’s name instead. The APC was directed to submit Okorocha’s name as its nominee.
Speaking in a video circulated online after the ruling, Okorocha described the judgment as a victory for the people of Imo West and the Nigerian judiciary. He referenced past instances of alleged result manipulation, saying: “This was the same thing that happened when one person wrote more than 300 results, causing someone who came fourth to become number one.”
“Justice has finally prevailed. This is a victory for the entire residents of Imo West. This is the first time the Imo people will understand the sign in President Tinubu’s cap: the broken shackle. By this judgment, Imo have joined the broken shackle. That is, the shackles on Imo State have been broken. I appreciate the Nigerian judiciary, and it is evident that the Presidency is tired of this nonsense,” Okorocha said.
In a separate statement issued through his Special Adviser on Media, Sam Onwuemodo, Okorocha called the ruling a landmark decision and a resounding victory for the judiciary, democracy and the Constitution. He thanked President Bola Tinubu for creating an enabling environment for institutions to function and urged his supporters in Imo West to remain calm and celebrate the outcome.
The dispute arose after the APC primary in which the party’s returning officer declared Uzodimma winner with 230,464 votes against Okorocha’s 1,098. Okorocha’s camp maintained he polled 150,780 votes to Uzodimma’s 102,158 and challenged INEC’s recognition of the governor in court.
The Imo State chapter of the APC has rejected the judgment, insisting that Uzodimma remains its duly nominated candidate and that its legal team will review the ruling.
The case adds another chapter to the long-standing political rivalry between the two former governors, both of whom have previously represented Imo West in the Senate. Further legal steps, including a possible appeal, are expected.
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