Despite a Federal High Court ruling on Imo West, the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Imo State has insisted that Governor Hope Uzodimma its candidate for the 2027 senatorial election.
The Federal High Court in the state recognised former governor Rochas Okorocha as the party’s candidate.
The party made its position known in a press release signed by its State Publicity Secretary, Onwuasoanya Jones, on Thursday, following the judgment delivered by Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The court ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to publish Okorocha’s name as the APC candidate for Imo West Senatorial District. It also directed Uzodimma to stop presenting himself as the party’s candidate for the January 16, 2027 election.
However, the Imo State APC maintained that Uzodimma remains its candidate, insisting that he won the party’s senatorial primary with overwhelming support from its members.
“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 statement read.
APC to Review Court Judgment on Imo West Candidate
Despite its position, the APC said its legal department would review the court judgment and determine the appropriate next steps.
“The Party’s legal department shall study the outcome of a legal intervention in this matter and act accordingly,” the statement added.
The party also urged its members and supporters to remain focused and committed to securing victories across constituencies in Imo State.
The latest development has intensified the dispute over who will represent the APC in the Imo West Senatorial District race ahead of the 2027 general elections.
How the Dispute Over the Imo West APC Candidate Began
The dispute followed the APC senatorial primary held on May 18, 2026, during which Uzodimma was declared the winner with 230,464 votes, while Okorocha reportedly polled 1,098 votes in the results recognised by INEC.
Okorocha subsequently challenged the outcome in court, disputing Uzodimma’s recognition as the party’s candidate for the senatorial district.
In its ruling on Thursday, the Federal High Court held that Okorocha was the lawful winner of the primary and ordered the APC to submit his name to INEC for publication as its candidate.
The court also faulted inconsistencies in documents submitted by the party in support of Uzodimma’s nomination.
2027 Imo West Senate Race Remains Contentious
The conflicting positions of the court and the Imo State APC have left the party’s representation in the Imo West senatorial race at the centre of a legal and political dispute.
While the court recognised Okorocha as the lawful winner of the primary, the APC has maintained that Uzodimma remains its preferred candidate, pending a review of the judgment and any further legal action.
The party’s next steps could prove crucial in determining its final candidate for the January 16, 2027 senatorial election.
For now, the APC in Imo State has urged its members to remain united as the legal process surrounding the Imo West candidacy continues.