Court Sacks Uzodinma Replace him With Okorocha

The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the All Progressives Congress (APC) to replace Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma, with former governor Rochas Okorocha as its candidate for the Imo West Senatorial District election.

Justice Obiora Egwuatu issued the order on Thursday after ruling that Uzodinma did not win the APC senatorial primary conducted on May 18, 2026.

The court held that evidence presented before it showed that Okorocha secured the majority of votes cast during the primary and should be recognised as the winner.

Consequently, the court ordered the APC to forward Okorocha’s name to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as its candidate for the Imo West Senatorial District election.

The judgment followed a suit filed by Okorocha challenging the decision to publish Uzodinma’s name as the APC candidate for the senatorial district.

Okorocha had argued that the outcome of the primary monitored by INEC showed that he emerged as the winner, rather than Uzodinma.

He also challenged the publication of Uzodinma’s name by INEC and asked the court to restrain the governor from presenting himself as the party’s candidate.

The legal battle had also raised questions over Uzodinma’s plan to contest for the Senate while still serving as governor of Imo State.

Uzodinma began his second term as governor in January 2024, with his tenure expected to end in January 2028, while the next Senate is scheduled to be inaugurated in June 2027.

The court’s ruling now puts Okorocha in line to represent the APC in the Imo West senatorial contest, subject to any further legal challenge to the judgment.