Ruling challenges Uzodimma’s senatorial nomination ahead of the 2027 elections as dispute over APC primary results takes a new turn

The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to publish former Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the Imo West Senatorial District in the 2027 general election.

The court also directed incumbent Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma to stop presenting himself as the APC’s candidate for the senatorial district following a dispute over the outcome of the party’s primary election held on May 18, 2026.

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Justice Obiora Egwuatu reportedly ruled that the evidence before the court showed that Okorocha secured the majority of votes cast during the primary, entitling him to recognition as the party’s nominee. The court consequently ordered the APC to submit his name to INEC for the election scheduled for January 16, 2027.

Dispute over primary election results

The ruling follows a legal challenge filed by Okorocha against INEC, Uzodimma and the APC. The former governor questioned the electoral commission’s decision to recognise Uzodimma as the winner of the party’s senatorial primary.

In the suit, Okorocha argued that INEC should be guided by reports from its officials who monitored the primary. He also challenged the legality of publishing Uzodimma’s name as the party’s candidate.

The dispute arose from conflicting accounts of the primary’s outcome. Uzodimma had initially been declared the winner by the APC’s primary election committee, which reported that he secured 230,464 votes, while Okorocha received 1,098 votes.

Okorocha, however, alleged that he won the contest with 150,780 votes, compared with 102,158 votes for Uzodimma. The governor, the APC and INEC opposed his claims, maintaining that Uzodimma was duly elected through the party’s primary process.

Constitutional question over governorship and Senate ambitions

The dispute also raised questions about whether Uzodimma could contest the senatorial election while still serving as governor of Imo State.

Uzodimma began his second term in January 2024, with his tenure expected to end in January 2028. Meanwhile, the next Senate is scheduled to be inaugurated in June 2027, creating a potential overlap between his governorship and the commencement of the next legislative session.

Okorocha relied on Section 183 of the 1999 Constitution, which provides that a governor shall not, while holding office, occupy another executive office or engage in paid employment in any capacity.

He asked the court to determine whether INEC acted lawfully in recognising Uzodimma as the APC candidate, given the constitutional provision and the disputed primary results.

Implications for the 2027 election

The decision represents a significant development in the contest for the APC ticket in Imo West and could affect the party’s preparations for the 2027 general election.

It also highlights the importance of transparent party primaries, reliable electoral documentation and compliance with constitutional and electoral requirements in determining candidates for public office.

The practical effect of the ruling will depend on its implementation and any subsequent legal proceedings. The parties’ next steps, including any appeal or further court orders, will therefore be important in determining the final status of the APC’s candidate for the senatorial district.

For voters and political stakeholders in Imo West, the case underscores how internal party disputes can move beyond party structures and become decisive legal questions in the electoral process.