By Samuel Olusegun Precious
In a fresh twist and the ongoing political battles, a Federal High Court in Abuja has declared former Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, winner of the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial primary for Imo West District.
Delivering judgement in Abuja on Thursday, October 29, 2026, Justice Obiora Egwuatu ordered Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, to stop parading himself as the APC candidate for the Imo West senatorial election scheduled for January 16, 2027.
The court held that Uzodimma did not win the primary conducted on May 18, 2026, and monitored by INEC. Justice Egwuatu ruled that evidence before the court established that Okorocha secured the majority of lawful votes cast and should be declared winner.
The court consequently:
Directed the APC to submit Okorocha’s name to INEC as its candidate for Imo West
Ordered INEC to publish Okorocha’s name as the authentic APC candidate
Restrained Uzodimma from presenting himself as the party’s nominee
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1854/2026, was filed by Okorocha challenging INEC’s publication of Uzodimma’s name. INEC had earlier declared Uzodimma winner with 230,464 votes against Okorocha’s 1,098 votes, while Okorocha claimed he polled 150,780 votes to Uzodimma’s 102,158.
Okorocha, who governed Imo from 2011-2019 and represented Imo West in the Senate from 2019-2023, had also questioned Uzodimma’s eligibility to contest while still serving as governor.
The judgement is a major blow to Uzodimma’s senatorial ambition ahead of the 2027 general elections, although it is subject to appeal.
ANOTHER TWIST IN IMO POLITICS AS UZODIMMA’S SENATE PRESIDENCY PLOT SUFFERS SETBACK
Meanwhile, a fresh twist has emerged in Imo politics following a Federal High Court judgement sacking Governor Hope Uzodimma as APC candidate for Imo West, dealing a major blow to his reported ambition to become Senate President of the 11th Senate.
Uzodimma, who secured the APC ticket at the May 18 primary, has been widely reported to be eyeing a return to the Red Chamber in 2027 not just as a senator, but as Senate President to replace incumbent Godswill Akpabio.
The plan, however, has triggered a full-blown power struggle within the ruling APC:
Akpabio Fires Warning Shot
At the inauguration of the APC Presidential Campaign Council on October 14, Akpabio openly lobbied President Bola Tinubu to support his re-election as Senate President, quoting Governor Soludo: “If the cloth is not torn, why try to amend it?”
He then warned governors: “You must not abandon your people. I did eight years as a governor. The constitution says you should do eight years. There is no need to start eyeing another position that is not available.”
Though he did not mention Uzodimma by name, insiders said the warning was clearly aimed at the Imo governor.
Constitutional Hurdle
Uzodimma faces a unique constitutional problem. His second term as governor ends January 15, 2028, but the 11th Senate will be inaugurated in June 2027. To take his seat, he would have to resign 7 months early and abandon his mandate – a move critics say sets a dangerous precedent.The Senate has also amended its Standing Orders to restrict Senate Presidency contest to ranking senators with at least two terms, one being the immediate past term – a move seen as a pre-emptive strike against returnees like Uzodimma.
Wike Joins Fray
FCT Minister Nyesom Wike has also accused APC governors, particularly Uzodimma as Chairman of Progressive Governors Forum, of trying to plant loyal senators to dictate who becomes next Senate President.
Now, with Justice Obiora Egwuatu ordering INEC to publish Rochas Okorocha as authentic winner of the Imo West primary, Uzodimma must first reclaim his senatorial ticket on appeal before he can even dream of the Senate Presidency. Political observers say the battle for the 11th Senate leadership has only just begun.
