In a major political upset in Imo State, Governor Hope Uzodimma loses senatorial bid after the Federal High Court in Abuja nullified his primary election victory. Justice Obiora Egwuatu delivered the landmark judgment on Thursday, ordering the Independent National Electoral Commission to recognize former governor Rochas Okorocha as the authentic candidate.
The ruling addresses the contested All Progressives Congress primary election for the Imo West Senatorial District ahead of the vote scheduled for January 16, 2027. Justice Egwuatu directed the electoral umpire to immediately publish Okorocha’s name on its official portal while ordering Uzodimma to stop parading himself as the party’s flagbearer.
Federal High Court Sacks Sitting Governor
The judicial setback confirms that Hope Uzodimma loses senatorial bid because documentary evidence proved he did not win the party's primary poll. Justice Egwuatu ruled that Okorocha secured the majority of valid votes cast during the APC primary election conducted on May 18, 2026.
Official monitors from INEC confirmed Okorocha’s victory in their statutory field reports submitted to the commission. The court declared that the party's subsequent submission of Uzodimma’s name violated Sections 29 and 32 of the Electoral Act, rendering the August 1 candidate publication unlawful.
Deepening APC Rivalry in Imo West
The legal battle marks another tense chapter in the protracted rivalry between the two prominent political figures. Okorocha previously served two terms as governor of Imo State from 2011 to 2019 before representing the Imo West district in the Ninth Senate between 2019 and 2023.
Uzodimma succeeded Okorocha’s administration following a Supreme Court judgment in January 2020 and currently leads the Progressive Governors Forum. As Uzodimma loses senatorial bid at the trial court level, legal advisers for the Imo State governor are expected to pursue an appeal before the appellate court.
Legal Requirements and What Happens Next
Under the Electoral Act, political parties must strictly adhere to internal democracy guidelines and respect results authenticated by the electoral umpire. Justice Egwuatu emphasized that political parties possess no lawful authority to substitute legitimate winners of monitored primary elections with preferred party figures.
Unless overturned on appeal, the ruling ensures Rochas Okorocha will represent the ruling party on the ballot next January. The outcome signals strong judicial enforcement of internal party rules as Uzodimma loses senatorial bid in the nation's capital.
