Okorocha takes INEC, APC and Uzodinma to court over Imo West ticket
Former Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha has gone to court over the 2027 Imo West senatorial ticket, challenging the recognition of Governor Hope Uzodinma as the APC candidate.
Okorocha, who previously represented Imo West in the Senate, filed the case at the Federal High Court in Abuja against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Uzodinma.
His lawyer, O.J. Aboje, filed the suit on August 13, 2026.
The case, numbered FHC/ABJ/CS/1854/2026, asks the court to determine whether INEC acted properly by publishing Uzodinma’s name as the APC candidate for the senatorial election.
Why Okorocha is challenging the APC ticket
At the centre of the dispute is the APC senatorial primary held on May 18.
Okorocha claims he won the primary and should therefore be recognised as the party’s candidate for Imo West in the 2027 election.
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According to an affidavit filed in support of the case, Okorocha allegedly secured 150,780 votes, while Uzodinma received 102,158 votes.
The former governor is therefore asking the court to examine whether INEC should have relied on reports submitted by its officials who monitored the primary.
He also wants the court to determine whether INEC could lawfully publish Uzodinma’s name despite the reported outcome of the exercise.
Okorocha questions Uzodinma’s eligibility
Another major issue raised in the lawsuit concerns Uzodinma’s tenure as Imo State governor.
Okorocha is asking the court to consider whether Uzodinma was eligible to contest the Imo West Senate seat while still serving as governor.
The suit refers to Section 183 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, in raising the eligibility question.
According to the affidavit, Uzodinma began his second term as governor on January 15, 2024. His current tenure is expected to end at midnight on January 14, 2028.
Okorocha’s camp argues that the governor would still be serving when senators elected in 2027 are inaugurated.
What Okorocha wants from the court
Okorocha is asking the Federal High Court to declare the publication of Uzodinma’s name unconstitutional.
He wants the court to set aside INEC’s publication and order the electoral commission to recognise him as the APC’s duly nominated candidate for the 2027 Imo West senatorial election.
The former governor is also seeking an order preventing Uzodinma from presenting himself as the APC’s candidate for the election. He further wants the court to award costs against the respondents.
The case is now before the Federal High Court for determination.
