The political crisis within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Imo State has deepened following the rejection of a Federal High Court judgment by the party’s 12 local government chairmen in Imo West Senatorial District, who insist that Governor Hope Uzodimma remains the party’s candidate for the January 16, 2027, senatorial election.
The chairmen made their position known on Friday during a press conference in Owerri, a day after a Federal High Court in Abuja ruled in favour of former Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha in the disputed APC senatorial primary.
Speaking on behalf of the chairmen, the state APC chairman, Austin Onyedebelu, described the judgment as an injustice and accused some political actors of attempting to destabilise the South-East politically.
“We reject this judgment in its entirety because it is an undisguised travesty of justice. It is a political robbery clothed in legal robes,” the chairmen declared.
Justice Obiora Egwuatu had ruled on Thursday that Okorocha won the APC primary conducted on May 18, 2026, after presenting what the court described as sufficient evidence to establish his victory.
The court consequently directed the APC to submit Okorocha’s name to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and ordered the commission to recognise him as the party’s validly nominated candidate. It also restrained Uzodimma from presenting himself as the APC candidate for the senatorial district.
However, rejecting the ruling, the 12 local government chairmen claimed they participated in the primary and maintained that Uzodimma secured 230,464 votes against Okorocha’s 1,098 votes.
“For the avoidance of doubt, we NEVER VOTED FOR ROCHAS OKOROCHA,” Onyedebelu said, insisting that the governor emerged victorious in an exercise monitored by INEC officials.
The chairmen also accused Okorocha of bypassing the party’s internal appeal process before approaching the court over the disputed primary.
They further alleged that the judgment was part of a broader political scheme aimed at weakening the influence of the South-East, particularly Imo West Senatorial District.
The group appealed to President Bola Tinubu to intervene, expressing concern that the dispute could further undermine the political interests of the South-East.
They described Uzodimma as a major political force within the APC in the region and warned that the party risked internal divisions if the matter was not properly resolved.
Meanwhile, the Imo State chapter of the APC has also rejected the judgment, maintaining that Uzodimma remains its candidate for the senatorial election.
The party’s Publicity Secretary, Onwuasoanya FCC Jones, said its legal department would review the ruling and take appropriate steps.
Sources within Uzodimma’s camp have indicated that the governor intends to appeal the judgment, insisting that he would still be on the ballot for the January 2027 election.
Okorocha, however, welcomed the court ruling, describing it as a victory for democracy and the rule of law.
Speaking through his Chief Press Secretary, Sam Onwuemeodo, the former governor thanked President Tinubu and the APC leadership for creating an environment where party members could seek justice.
He also dismissed concerns about a possible arrest, saying the court had affirmed the authenticity of the documents he presented.
Okorocha maintained that the results transmitted to INEC headquarters showed that he won the primary, alleging that a different result was subsequently announced by the party.
He said he obtained certified true copies of the primary documents from INEC on July 22, 2026, while the documents presented by Uzodimma’s camp emerged on August 22, describing them as an afterthought.
He further alleged that the governor’s documents contained inconsistencies, including a reference to May 16 as the date of the primary and an indication that Uzodimma emerged through consensus despite the exercise being conducted as a direct primary.
Uzodimma’s camp had yet to publicly respond to those specific allegations at the time of the report.
The former governor also challenged the governor’s political influence in the state, accusing him of excessive ambition and urging him to concentrate on governance.
Okorocha, who described himself as a founding member of the APC, dismissed the state party leadership’s rejection of the judgment and insisted that he remained the rightful candidate.
The former governor also called on people of the South-East to support Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027, arguing that the region should prioritise political partnership over continued confrontation with the Federal Government.
He expressed admiration for NDC presidential candidate Peter Obi but maintained that the South-East needed to make strategic political decisions ahead of the next general election.
Okorocha also praised the coalition approach promoted by Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, saying he was willing to support efforts to bring opposition parties behind Tinubu.
The dispute has also raised questions about Uzodimma’s eligibility to serve as a senator while still holding the office of governor.
The governor, who was first sworn in on January 15, 2020, and re-elected in November 2023, is expected to remain in office until January 2028.
Section 183 of the Nigerian Constitution prohibits a sitting governor from simultaneously holding another executive or legislative public office, meaning Uzodimma would have to resign as governor before assuming a Senate seat if elected.
With the Senate expected to commence its new legislative session in June 2027, the legal and political implications of the dispute could further complicate the APC’s preparations for the election.
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