Rochas Okorocha, former governor of Imo, has approached the Federal High Court in Abuja over the nomination of Hope Uzodimma, the state governor, as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Imo West senatorial district in the 2027 election.

The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1854/2026, was filed on August 13 by O.J. Aboje, counsel to Okorocha. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Uzodimma and the APC are listed as respondents.

Okorocha is challenging INEC’s decision to publish Uzodimma’s name as the winner of the APC senatorial primary held in May.

Okorocha served as Imo governor from 2011 to 2019 and represented Imo West in the Senate between 2019 and 2023.

He contested the APC ticket against Uzodimma in the May primary. Williams Kayode, chairman and returning officer of the 2026 Imo APC national assembly primary election committee, declared Uzodimma the winner with 230,464 votes.

But, in his suit, Okorocha is asking the court to determine whether INEC is bound by the reports submitted by its officials who monitored the primary conducted on May 18.

He is also challenging the publication of Uzodimma’s name, citing Section 183 of the 1999 Constitution, which provides that a sitting governor cannot hold another executive office or paid employment while in office.

Uzodimma began his second term as Imo governor in January 2024, meaning his tenure will run until January 2028, while the 11th Senate is scheduled to be inaugurated in June 2027.

The timing has raised questions over whether Uzodimma would have to leave office as governor if he wins the senatorial election.

Okorocha is asking the court to declare the publication of Uzodimma’s name unconstitutional and void on the grounds that he did not emerge as the winner of the primary.

He is also seeking an order directing INEC to recognise and publish his name as the APC’s duly nominated candidate for Imo West.

The former governor further wants the court to stop Uzodimma, the APC or anyone acting on his behalf from presenting him as the party’s candidate for the election.

The affidavit supporting the suit was deposed to by Amen Rochas, Okorocha’s son.

He alleged that the APC conducted a direct primary on May 18 and that his father won with 150,780 votes, while Uzodimma scored 102,158 votes.

The suit is seeking judicial determination of which aspirant was validly nominated by the APC to contest the Imo West senatorial election. (Arise News)

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