2027: Court Orders INEC To Recognise Okorocha As Imo West APC Candidate

A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission to recognise former Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, as the All Progressives Congress candidate for Imo West Senatorial District in the 2027 general elections.

The court also directed the incumbent governor, Hope Uzodimma, to stop presenting himself as the party’s candidate for the senatorial election scheduled for January 16, 2027.

Justice Obiora Egwuatu issued the orders on Thursday while delivering judgment in a suit filed by Okorocha challenging Uzodimma’s recognition as the APC candidate.

The judge held that the evidence before the court established that Okorocha won the party’s primary election conducted on May 18, 2026, which was monitored by INEC.

Consequently, the court directed the APC to submit Okorocha’s name to the electoral commission as its candidate for the election.

The legal dispute arose from conflicting claims over the outcome of the primary, with INEC’s official results identifying Uzodimma as the winner with 230,464 votes, while Okorocha was credited with 1,098 votes.

Dissatisfied with the outcome, the former governor approached the court in suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1854/2026, challenging INEC’s recognition of Uzodimma.

Okorocha also raised questions about Uzodimma’s eligibility to contest the senatorial election while serving as governor.

The ruling comes as preparations gather pace for the 2027 general elections.

More details to follow.