In an attempt to contest the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) recognition of Governor Hope Uzodimma as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the Imo West Senatorial District in the 2027 general election, former Imo State Governor and former Imo West senator Rochas Okorocha has petitioned the Federal High Court in Abuja.
In the lawsuit titled FHC/ABJ/CS/1854/2026, which was filed on August 13, 2026, by his attorney, O.J. Aboje, Okorocha named INEC, Uzodimma, and the APC as defendants.
The former governor is challenging the results of the May 18, 2026, APC senate primary and is requesting that the court declare him the party’s legitimate winner and nominee.At the primary, Williams Kayode, Chairman and Returning Officer of the APC 2026 Imo National Assembly Primary Election Committee, reportedly declared Uzodimma the winner with 230,464 votes.
But Okorocha challenges the outcome, claiming he won the primary.
The former governor’s son, Amen Rochas, claimed in an affidavit submitted in support of the lawsuit that Okorocha received 150,780 votes at the direct primary compared to Uzodimma’s 102,158.
The former governor is also contesting INEC’s choice to list Uzodimma as the APC candidate in spite of reports purportedly provided by primary observers.
Okorocha is requesting that the court decide, among other things, whether INEC was required by law to rely on the reports of its personnel who observed the primary on May 18.
Additionally, he is contesting Uzodimma’s eligibility to run for the Senate while he is still Imo State’s governor.Okorocha cited Section 183 of the 1999 Constitution, which provides that a serving governor shall not hold any other executive office or paid employment in any capacity.
Uzodimma, who started his second term as governor in January 2024, is anticipated to serve until January 2028, according to the lawsuit. This implies that when the 11th National Assembly convenes in June 2027, his term will still be in effect.Therefore, the legal challenge raises the question of whether Uzodimma would have to give up his governorship if he were to win the Senate and then accept his seat.Okorocha is requesting that the court rule that it is illegal and unconstitutional for INEC to publish Uzodimma as the APC’s Imo West candidate.
Additionally, he is requesting that the publication be set aside and that INEC acknowledge and publish his name as the legitimate nominee of the APC for the Imo West senatorial election in 2027.Additionally, the former governor requests that the court prohibit Uzodimma, the APC, or anybody working on their behalf from putting the governor up as the party’s election nominee.The controversial Imo West ticket is now being brought before the courts in this lawsuit, and the decision might decide who would represent the APC in the senatorial election.
