In a dramatic twist ahead of the 2027 polls, the Federal High Court in Abuja has stripped Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, of the All Progressives Congress ticket for Imo West Senatorial District and returned it to his predecessor, Senator Rochas Okorocha.

Delivering judgment in suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1854/2026, Justice Obiora Egwuatu voided the publication of Uzodimma’s name by the Independent National Electoral Commission and ordered the APC to forward Okorocha’s name as the legitimate flagbearer for the January 16, 2027, senatorial election.

The judge ruled that evidence before the court proved Okorocha, not Uzodimma, won the May 18, 2026 primary monitored by INEC officials across the 10 councils in the zone. He described the documents relied upon by the APC to defend Uzodimma as contradictory, fabricated and lacking any evidential value.

According to the court, the APC’s action in submitting Uzodimma’s name violated Sections 29 and 32 of the Electoral Act and the party’s own primary guidelines. The publication done on August 1 was therefore declared unlawful.

Reacting through his media aide, Sam Onwuemodo, the former Imo governor celebrated the verdict and thanked President Bola Tinubu for allowing institutions to work independently. He noted that the ruling is not just personal but a win for the judiciary, the constitution, lovers of justice and the entire people of Imo West.

Okorocha also appreciated residents of the district for their solidarity and acknowledged Ganduje, former APC national chairman and ex-Kano governor, who visited him to rejoice over the outcome. Ganduje described Okorocha as a father and friend and said he was highly delighted by the judgment.

For his legal team, the judgment cleared the air. Counsel O.J. Aboje said his client had been subjected to media attacks over alleged document forgery but the court has now vindicated him. Similarly, his son, Amen Rochas, lauded the judiciary for standing firm despite alleged fake news aimed at twisting the case.

On the other side, the Imo APC, through its spokesman Onwuasoanya Jones, rejected the verdict. The chapter maintained that Uzodimma won the primary overwhelmingly and remains the candidate until its legal department reviews the judgment.

The court further noted the issue of eligibility, as Uzodimma’s governorship tenure is expected to run till January 2028, while the senatorial contest is slated for 2027.

INEC had earlier claimed Uzodimma polled 230,464 votes against Okorocha’s 1,098, but another certified document showed Okorocha scored 150,780 votes to win the exercise, a contention now settled by the court.