Okorocha Sues INEC Over Publication of Uzodinma as APC Imo West Senatorial Candidate
ISSN: 2354-4481
By George Gentle Ifeanyi
Former Imo State Governor and Senator, Rochas Okorocha, has instituted a legal action against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over the commission’s publication of Governor Hope Uzodinma as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the Imo West Senatorial District election scheduled for 2027.
Okorocha filed the suit before the Federal High Court in Abuja, joining INEC, Uzodinma and the APC as respondents.
The originating summons, filed on August 13, 2026, is marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1854/2026 and was filed through his counsel, O.J. Aboje.
At the centre of the dispute is the APC primary election reportedly conducted on May 18 to determine the party’s candidate for the Imo West senatorial contest.
Okorocha is asking the court to determine whether INEC was entitled to publish Uzodinma’s name despite reports allegedly submitted by the commission’s officials who monitored the primary election.
The former governor claims that he emerged victorious at the primary and should consequently be recognised as the duly nominated APC candidate for the senatorial election.
According to an affidavit filed in support of the suit, Amen Rochas, who identified himself as Okorocha’s biological son and Personal Assistant on Political Matters, stated that he was familiar with the circumstances surrounding the case.
He described Okorocha as a registered and financially active member of the APC and maintained that his principal participated in the party’s primary election.
The affidavit alleged that the APC conducted a direct primary on May 18, at which Okorocha reportedly polled 150,780 votes, while Uzodinma was said to have recorded 102,158 votes.
Based on those figures, Okorocha contends that he won the primary and ought to have been presented as the party’s candidate.
The suit also raises questions concerning Uzodinma’s eligibility to contest the senatorial election while serving as governor of Imo State.
The affidavit stated that Uzodinma commenced his second term as governor on January 15, 2024, with the tenure expected to end at midnight on January 14, 2028.
It further alleged that Uzodinma had purchased the expression-of-interest and nomination forms to contest the Imo West senatorial seat.
Okorocha is asking the court to determine whether INEC acted lawfully by recognising and publishing Uzodinma’s name as the APC candidate, particularly in light of the constitutional provisions relied upon in his application.
Among the reliefs sought by the former governor is an order setting aside or cancelling INEC’s publication of Uzodinma as the APC candidate for the election.
He is also asking the court to direct INEC to recognise and publish his name as the legitimate APC candidate for the 2027 Imo West Senatorial District election.
In another relief, Okorocha wants the court to restrain Uzodinma, the APC and anyone acting on their behalf from presenting or holding the governor out as the party’s duly nominated candidate for the election.
He is also seeking an award of costs against the respondents.
The case introduces another legal dimension to the political contest surrounding the 2027 Imo West senatorial election, with the Federal High Court expected to determine the issues raised by Okorocha’s challenge.
The respondents will have the opportunity to respond to the allegations and legal arguments contained in the suit.
The legal dispute centres on the APC primary election reportedly conducted on May 18, 2026, to select the party’s candidate for the Imo West Senatorial District election. Okorocha maintains that he won the primary and should be recognised as the party’s candidate, while challenging INEC’s subsequent publication of Uzodinma’s name.
