Former Imo State Governor and senator, Rochas Okorocha, has filed a suit at the Federal High Court in Abuja challenging Governor Hope Uzodinma’s bid to contest the Imo West Senatorial seat under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Okorocha, in the suit, questioned Uzodinma’s eligibility to contest the senatorial election while his tenure as governor of Imo State would still be running.
In an affidavit attached to the suit, Okorocha argued that Uzodinma’s tenure as governor would expire at midnight on January 14, 2028, having been sworn in for his second term on January 15, 2024.
He contended that Uzodinma’s tenure would therefore not have expired by the time the Senate is inaugurated following the 2027 general election.
Okorocha further alleged that despite his subsisting tenure as governor, Uzodinma obtained the APC expression of interest and nomination forms to contest for the Imo West Senatorial ticket.
The former governor is asking the court to declare it unconstitutional for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to publish Uzodinma’s name as the APC candidate for the senatorial election, arguing that the governor did not emerge as the winner of the party’s primary election.
According to Okorocha, the APC conducted a direct primary election for the senatorial ticket on May 18, during which he claimed to have emerged victorious with 150,780 votes, while Uzodinma polled 102,158 votes.
He is consequently asking the court to order INEC to recognise and publish his name as the duly nominated APC candidate for the Imo West Senatorial District election.
Okorocha is also seeking an order restraining Uzodinma, whether personally or through the APC or any other person or entity, from presenting himself as the party’s nominated candidate for the election.
The former governor has listed INEC, Uzodinma and the APC as respondents in the suit.
The legal challenge could further deepen the political contest within the APC in Imo State as preparations intensify ahead of the 2027 general election.
