Okorocha, Ganduje Celebrate as Court Nullifies Uzodimma’s Senatorial Ticket

Former Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, and former APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje, have celebrated a Federal High Court judgment nullifying Governor Hope Uzodimma’s nomination as the All Progressives Congress candidate for Imo West Senatorial District in the 2027 general elections.

Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, declared Okorocha the lawful winner of the party’s May 18, 2026 senatorial primary and directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to replace Uzodimma’s name with that of the former governor.

The judge also restrained Uzodimma from parading himself as the APC candidate for the January 16, 2027 election.

Reacting to the judgment, Okorocha described it as a victory for democracy, the judiciary and the Nigerian Constitution.

In a statement issued on Thursday by his Special Adviser on Media, Sam Onwuemodo, the former governor commended President Bola Tinubu for providing an environment that allows the judiciary and other institutions to function.

He also praised the APC leadership for allowing members to pursue their political aspirations and exercise their constitutional rights.

Okorocha expressed gratitude to the people of Imo State, particularly residents of Imo West Senatorial District, for their prayers and support throughout the legal battle.

He also commended Uzodimma for participating in the proceedings as a respondent, describing the judgment as significant for the state and its people.

Ganduje, who visited Okorocha after the ruling, described him as a friend, brother and political colleague.

The former Kano State governor said he was delighted to hear that the court had ruled in Okorocha’s favour.

“I am highly delighted, I’m so impressed, and I’m so excited to hear about the judgment that was passed today in favour of my father, Rochas Okorocha,” Ganduje said.

He added that he visited to celebrate with the former governor and expressed happiness over the outcome.

In its judgment, the court held that Uzodimma did not win the APC senatorial primary and faulted the party for forwarding his name to INEC.

Justice Egwuatu ruled that the governor’s nomination violated Sections 29 and 32 of the Electoral Act and failed to comply with the party’s guidelines for conducting primary elections.

The judge also questioned the authenticity of documents the APC presented to justify Uzodimma’s nomination, noting that several records contradicted one another.

One document indicated that the party conducted the exercise through Option A4, while another claimed that a consensus arrangement produced Uzodimma.

A separate document from another member of the party’s National Working Committee indicated that a direct primary took place.

The judge questioned how the party could allocate votes to aspirants if it had adopted a consensus arrangement.

He further relied on certified documents released to Okorocha following a formal request. According to the court, the records showed that the former governor secured the majority of lawful votes across the 10 local government areas in the senatorial district.

Consequently, the court declared Okorocha the lawful winner and ordered the APC to submit his name to INEC.

The dispute followed the party’s declaration of Uzodimma as winner of the May 18 primary. The announced result credited the governor with 230,464 votes against Okorocha’s 1,098.

However, another document later circulated, purporting to show that Okorocha won the exercise with 150,780 votes.

The former governor subsequently approached the Federal High Court in Abuja in a suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1854/2026, challenging INEC’s recognition of Uzodimma as the party’s candidate.

His suit also questioned the governor’s eligibility to contest the senatorial election while still serving as governor. Uzodimma’s tenure is expected to end in January 2028.

Meanwhile, the Imo APC has rejected the court’s decision, insisting that Uzodimma remains its candidate for the senatorial district.

In a statement signed by its Publicity Secretary, Onwuasoanya Jones, the party maintained that the governor won the primary with overwhelming support from members.

It said its legal department would study the judgment before deciding on its next course of action.

The Imo State Government has also indicated its intention to challenge the ruling at the Court of Appeal.

Okorocha’s lawyer, O.J. Aboje, described the judgment as a vindication of his client, who had faced allegations of forging documents during the dispute.

Also reacting, Okorocha’s son and Special Adviser on Political Matters, Amen Rochas, praised the judiciary for delivering what he described as a fair judgment despite alleged attempts to influence the proceedings through fake news.

The dispute comes amid reports of Uzodimma’s ambition to become Senate President in 2027.

At the inauguration of the APC presidential campaign council on October 14, the governor declared his intention to contest the Imo West senatorial seat.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who attended the event, subsequently urged President Tinubu to encourage governors to complete their constitutionally prescribed tenures before seeking other elective offices.

The Senate also resolved at plenary the following day that there would be no vacancy in the leadership of the 11th Senate.