Federal High Court orders INEC to replace Hope Uzodinma with Rochas Okorocha as APC candidate for Imo West senatorial district.
Abuja Federal High Court delivered a major political judgment on Thursday, October 29, 2026, ordering the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to immediately remove Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the Imo West Senatorial District.
The court directed INEC and the ruling party to replace Uzodinma’s name with that of former Imo State governor, Senator Rochas Okorocha, ahead of the general elections scheduled for January 16, 2027.
The court judgment was delivered by Justice Obiora Egwuatu after he carefully examined the evidence presented by both sides regarding the primary election held on May 18.
The judge ruled that Governor Uzodinma did not legally win the party primary monitored by electoral officers, explaining that official voting documents clearly showed Senator Okorocha secured the highest number of valid votes cast across the ten local government areas making up the senatorial district.
Setting aside the earlier candidate list published by the electoral body, Justice Obiora Egwuatu held:
“That the publication of Hope Uzodinma’s name by INEC as the winner of the primary election is wrongful and unlawful.”
The judge further ordered:
“That the INEC publication of the name of Hope Uzodinma on August 1 as APC Senatorial candidate for Imo West is hereby set aside and in its place, INEC is ordered to restore the name of Rochas Okorocha.”
The court criticized the submission of conflicting party papers used to put forward the governor’s name, noting that the documents submitted by the party contained major errors and contradictions.
Faulting the paperwork presented in favor of Governor Uzodinma, the judge stated:
“Majority of the documents tendered by APC to support the purported nomination of Uzodimma (3rd respondent) contradict each other, indicating that they were clearly fabricated for the unlawful purpose of nominating the 3rd respondent as candidate.”
Justice Egwuatu added:
“In view of the doubt cast on the authenticity of the documents, the court cannot ascribe probative value to the purported documents.”
The court issued a direct order stopping Governor Uzodinma from parading or presenting himself as the APC senatorial candidate for the zone.
This legal ruling resolves a long political battle between the two prominent leaders over the APC ticket in Imo West.
With INEC scheduling the presidential, senatorial, and House of Representatives elections for January 16, 2027, the court’s order directs the ruling party to submit Okorocha’s details immediately to ensure his name appears on the official ballot.
Jennifer Baba is a journalist, international news correspondent, and writer at Moderncrux, where she covers artificial intelligence, fintech, emerging technologies, global politics, and international affairs. Based in Nigeria, she is passionate about transforming complex global developments into clear, engaging stories that inform and inspire readers.
