By Jude Opara
Former Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, has welcomed the Federal High Court (FCT) judgment ordering the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise him as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Imo West Senatorial District ahead of the 2027 general elections.
However, the Imo State chapter of the APC has rejected the development, insisting that Governor Hope Uzodimma remains its authentic candidate for the senatorial seat and vowing to challenge the judgment.
The Federal High Court in Abuja had ordered INEC to publish Okorocha’s name as the APC candidate for Imo West, effectively displacing Uzodimma from the position.
Reacting to the judgment on Thursday, Okorocha said justice had finally prevailed, commending the judiciary for what he described as its commitment to justice.
He likened the dispute to an earlier electoral controversy in which, according to him, the manipulation of results allegedly caused a candidate who finished fourth to emerge as the winner.
“Justice has finally prevailed. This was the same thing that happened when one person wrote more than 300 results, causing someone who came fourth to become number one.
“I appreciate the Nigerian judiciary, and it is evident that the Presidency is tired of this nonsense,” Okorocha said.
The former governor further argued that the judgment demonstrated that the presidency was no longer willing to tolerate impunity.
He urged his supporters across Imo West to remain calm and celebrate the court victory.
In its reaction, the Imo State chapter of the APC maintained that Uzodimma remained its candidate for Imo West Senatorial District, insisting that he won the party’s senatorial primary with overwhelming support from members.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the party’s State Publicity Secretary, Onwuasoanya FCC Jones, dismissed reports of a change in the party’s candidacy as unverified, accusing opposition figures of circulating claims that Uzodimma had been replaced.
The party stated that its legal department would examine the outcome of the court proceedings and determine the appropriate course of action.
It also urged members and supporters to remain focused and committed to securing the party’s victory across constituencies in the state.
In a separate statement, the APC further vowed to take immediate legal steps to set aside the judgment, describing the ruling as a temporary distraction that would not stand.
The party insisted that Uzodimma emerged through a legitimate and duly monitored primary election and that his name was subsequently submitted to INEC as its candidate.
It also maintained that Okorocha did not emerge as the party’s candidate for the senatorial district.
“Imo APC will take legal action over Imo West Senatorial candidacy. Governor Hope Uzodimma remains the candidate. Okorocha cannot and will not be allowed to fly our flag for Imo West,” the party declared.
The APC called on its supporters, stakeholders and members in Orlu zone to remain calm and law-abiding, assuring them that its legal team was working to appeal the judgment and secure Uzodimma’s reinstatement as the party’s candidate.
The conflicting positions have set the stage for a legal battle over the APC’s representation in Imo West ahead of the 2027 general elections, with Okorocha welcoming the ruling while the party insists it will pursue legal remedies to overturn it.
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