Okorocha sues Uzodimma, INEC over Imo West senatorial ticket

FORMER Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha has approached the federal high court in Abuja, challenging the decision of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise Governor Hope Uzodimma as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the Imo West senatorial district in the 2027 electio n.

Okorocha joined Uzodimma and the APC as defendants in the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1854/2026. The originating summons was filed on August 13, 2026, by counsel to the former governor, O.J. Aboje,according to the News Agency of Nigeria.

Okorocha, who governed Imo State between 2011 and 2019, represented the Imo West senatorial district from 2019 to 2023. He competed against Uzodimma for the APC ticket at the party’s senatorial primary in May.

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Chairman and Returning Officer of the 2026 Imo APC National Assembly Primary Election Committee, Mr Williams Kayode, had declared Uzodimma the winner after announcing that he secured 230,464 votes.

Uzodimma began his second term as governor in January 2024, with his tenure scheduled to end in January 2028.

However, the 11th Senate is expected to be inaugurated in June 2027, months before the governor’s tenure expires. The development has triggered questions over whether Uzodimma would have to leave office if he wins the senatorial election.

Okorocha’s claims

In the suit, Okorocha asked the court to determine whether INEC was bound by the reports submitted by its officials who monitored the APC primary held on May 18 to select the party’s candidate for Imo West.

He also questioned the legality of INEC’s publication of Uzodimma’s name as the winner, citing Section 183 of the 1999 Constitution.

The constitutional provision states that a governor cannot, while in office, occupy another executive position or hold paid employment in any capacity.

Okorocha argued that Uzodimma did not emerge as the winner of the primary and that INEC’s decision to publish his name as the party’s candidate was therefore unconstitutional and wrongful.

He is asking the court to nullify the publication and set aside the declaration identifying Uzodimma as the aspirant who secured the highest number of votes.

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The former governor is also seeking an order compelling INEC to recognise and publish his name as the APC’s duly nominated candidate for the 2027 Imo West senatorial election.

He further wants the court to restrain Uzodimma, either personally or through the APC or any other person, from presenting himself as the party’s candidate for the election.

An affidavit filed alongside the suit was sworn to by Amen Rochas, Okorocha’s son.

According to the affidavit, Uzodimma bought the nomination forms for the APC senatorial ticket despite having a tenure that would still be running when the Senate is inaugurated in 2027.

The affidavit further alleged that the direct primary conducted by the APC on May 18 was won by Okorocha with 150,780 votes, while Uzodimma polled 102,158 votes.