Imo APC Insists Uzodimma Remains Its Candidate for Imo West Senate Seat Despite Court Ruling

The Imo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has maintained that Governor Hope Uzodimma remains its candidate for the Imo West Senatorial District in the 2027 elections, despite a Federal High Court ruling recognising former governor Rochas Okorocha as the party’s candidate.

The party made its position known in a press release issued on Thursday and signed by its State Publicity Secretary, Onwuasoanya Jones, in response to the judgment delivered by Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court in Abuja.

The court had ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to publish Okorocha’s name as the APC candidate for the senatorial district. It also directed Uzodimma to stop presenting himself as the party’s candidate for the January 16, 2027 election.

However, the Imo APC rejected any suggestion that the court ruling had changed its position, insisting that Uzodimma remained its preferred candidate because he won the party’s primary election with the support of the majority of its members.

In the statement, the party declared, “The Party wishes to state without any confusion that His Excellency Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma, CON, remains the candidate of our Party for Imo West Senatorial District, having won the primaries of our great Party with the overwhelming support of the majority of our Party members.”

The APC further disclosed that its legal department would examine the court’s judgment before deciding on the appropriate course of action.

“The Party’s legal department shall study the outcome of a legal intervention in this matter and act accordingly,” the statement added.

Meanwhile, the party urged its members and supporters across Imo State to remain calm, focused and committed to its political objectives ahead of the 2027 elections.

The development has brought the contest for the APC ticket in Imo West into focus, with the party maintaining its support for Uzodimma while the court’s ruling recognises Okorocha as the candidate and directs INEC to publish his name.

The next steps by the APC’s legal team could determine how the party responds to the judgment as preparations for the 2027 senatorial election continue.