Okorocha Sues Uzodimma, INEC Over APC Imo West Senatorial Ticket

Former Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha has dragged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to court.

Okorocha sued the INEC for recognising Governor Hope Uzodimma as the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC)  for Imo West Senatorial District in the 2027 election.

Uzodimma and the APC are also listed as defendants in the case, filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

The suit, numbered FHC/ABJ/CS/1854/2026, was filed on August 13 by Okorocha’s lawyer, O.J. Aboje.

Rochas Okorocha, who governed Imo between 2011 and 2019 and later served as a senator from 2019 to 2023, contested the APC senatorial primary against Uzodimma in May.

The APC primary committee, led by Williams Kayode, declared Uzodimma the winner with 230,464 votes.

However, Okorocha is challenging the result, claiming that he actually won the primary.

In an affidavit filed with the case, his son, Amen Rochas, said Okorocha scored 150,780 votes, while Uzodimma received 102,158 votes.

Okorocha is asking the court to determine whether INEC should have relied on the reports of its officials who monitored the primary held on May 18.

He also cited Section 183 of the 1999 Constitution, which prevents a sitting governor from holding another executive position or paid employment while in office.

It states that: “The Governor shall not, during the period when he holds office, hold any other executive office or paid employment in any capacity whatsoever.”

The former governor wants the court to cancel INEC’s publication of Uzodimma as the APC candidate and recognise him as the party’s rightful candidate for the 2027 senatorial election.

He is also asking the court to stop Uzodimma from presenting himself as the APC candidate for Imo West.

Hope Uzodimma began his second term as Imo governor in January 2024, meaning his tenure will end in January 2028.

The 11th Senate is expected to be inaugurated in June 2027, raising questions over whether Uzodimma would have to leave office as governor if he wins the senatorial election.

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