Imo APC Vows Legal Action After Court Declares Okorocha Senatorial Candidate, Insists Uzodimma Remains Its Flagbearer | Sahara Reporters

The party said its legal department would review the court’s decision and take appropriate action.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Imo State has insisted that Governor Hope Uzodimma remains its candidate for the Imo West Senatorial District in the 2027 general election, despite a reported Federal High Court judgment declaring former governor Rochas Okorocha the party’s candidate.

The party said its legal department would review the court’s decision and take appropriate action.

In a statement signed by its State Publicity Secretary, Onwuasoanya FCC Jones, the APC maintained that Uzodimma secured the party’s senatorial ticket through its primary election.

“The party wishes to state without any confusion that His Excellency Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma, CON, remains the candidate of our Party for Imo West Senatorial District, having won the primaries of our great party with the overwhelming support of the majority of our party members,” the statement said.

The party added that it would examine the legal implications of the reported judgment before deciding its next steps.

“The party’s legal department shall study the outcome of a legal intervention in this matter and act accordingly,” it stated.

SaharaReporters earlier reported that the Federal High Court in Abuja had reportedly declared Okorocha the APC candidate for Imo West Senatorial District and ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to publish his name.

The reported judgment, delivered by Justice Egwuatu of Court 11, followed a suit filed by Okorocha challenging the recognition of Uzodimma as the party’s candidate for the 2027 election.

The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1854/2026, listed INEC, Uzodimma and the APC as respondents.

Okorocha had challenged the outcome of the APC’s May 18, 2026, senatorial primary, arguing that he won the contest and that the recognition of Uzodimma as the party’s candidate was unlawful.

In an affidavit attached to the suit, Amen Rochas, the former governor’s son, alleged that Okorocha secured 150,780 votes in the primary, while Uzodimma scored 102,158 votes.

However, Williams Kayode, chairman and returning officer of the APC’s 2026 Imo National Assembly Primary Election Committee, had declared Uzodimma the winner with 230,464 votes, according to the earlier report.

Okorocha also raised constitutional questions over Uzodimma’s candidacy, citing Section 183 of the 1999 Constitution, which restricts a sitting governor from holding another executive office or paid employment while in office.

Uzodimma, who began his second term as governor in January 2024, is expected to remain in office until January 2028, while the next National Assembly is scheduled to be inaugurated in June 2027.