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Rochas Okorocha Drags INEC to Court Over Uzodinma’s APC Senatorial Candidacy
Rochas Okorocha Drags INEC to Court Over Uzodinma’s APC Senatorial Candidacy
Former Imo State Governor and Senator, Rochas Okorocha, has taken the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to court over the emergence and publication of Governor Hope Uzodinma as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the Imo West Senatorial District election scheduled for 2027.
Okorocha instituted the legal action at the Federal High Court in Abuja, challenging INEC’s decision to publish Uzodinma’s name as the APC’s candidate for the senatorial contest.
The former governor listed Uzodinma and the APC as respondents in the suit filed through his counsel, O.J. Aboje.
The originating summons, filed on August 13, 2026, is marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1854/2026.
Okorocha Challenges APC Primary Result:-
At the centre of the legal battle is the APC senatorial primary election held on May 18, 2026.
Okorocha is asking the court to determine whether INEC has the authority to disregard reports submitted by its officials who monitored the primary election and whether the commission acted properly by recognising Uzodinma as the party’s candidate.
The former governor maintains that he emerged victorious at the primary and should consequently be recognised as the APC’s duly nominated candidate for the 2027 Imo West Senatorial District election.
He is also challenging the legality of INEC’s publication of Uzodinma’s name, arguing that the governor did not emerge as the winner of the May 18 primary.
Former Governor Seeks Multiple Court Orders:-
Okorocha is seeking several reliefs from the Federal High Court, including an order nullifying INEC’s publication of Uzodinma’s name as the APC candidate for the senatorial election.
He is further asking the court to compel INEC to recognise and publish his name as the legitimate APC candidate for the 2027 Imo West senatorial contest.
Another major relief seeks to restrain Uzodinma, the APC and anyone acting on their behalf from presenting or holding out the governor as the party’s nominated candidate for the election.
The former governor is also asking the court to award costs against the respondents.
Okorocha Claims Landslide Victory at Primary:-
In an affidavit filed in support of the suit, Amen Rochas, who identified himself as Okorocha’s biological son and Personal Assistant on Political Matters, stated that he was familiar with the circumstances surrounding the dispute.
He said Okorocha is a registered and financially active member of the APC and is therefore qualified to participate in the party’s electoral process.
The affidavit also outlined Uzodinma’s current tenure as governor of Imo State, stating that he was sworn in for a second term on January 15, 2024, with the tenure expected to run until midnight on January 14, 2028.
It further alleged that Uzodinma obtained the expression-of-interest and nomination forms to contest the Imo West senatorial seat.
According to the account presented by Okorocha’s camp, the APC conducted a direct primary on May 18, at which Okorocha emerged as the winner.
The figures contained in the affidavit put Okorocha’s alleged total at 150,780 votes, while Uzodinma was said to have polled 102,158 votes.
The development has now opened a fresh legal battle over the APC’s choice of candidate for the strategically important Imo West Senatorial District ahead of the 2027 general election.
The suit will ultimately require the court to determine whether Okorocha or Uzodinma should be recognised as the APC’s lawful candidate for the senatorial contest.
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