Former Imo governor asks court to void INEC’s publication of Uzodimma as APC candidate and recognise him as primary winner.
Former Imo State Governor and Senator Rochas Okorocha has sued the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over the publication of Governor Hope Uzodimma as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the Imo West Senatorial District election in 2027.
Okorocha, a two-term governor of the state, is challenging INEC’s recognition of Uzodimma as the winner of the APC senatorial primary conducted on May 18.
In the suit, the former governor asked the court to determine whether INEC was bound by the reports of its officials who monitored the primary and whether the publication of Uzodimma’s name was lawful under Section 183 of the 1999 Constitution.
Okorocha alleged that he won the May 18 primary, claiming that he secured 150,780 votes against Uzodimma’s 102,158 votes.
He is seeking an order setting aside INEC’s publication of Uzodimma as the APC candidate and directing the electoral commission to recognise and publish his name as the party’s duly nominated candidate for the 2027 election.
The former governor is also asking the court to restrain Uzodimma, APC or their representatives from presenting or parading the governor as the party’s candidate for the senatorial election.
In an affidavit filed alongside the suit, Amen Rochas, who identified himself as Okorocha’s personal assistant on political matters and biological son, said he was familiar with the circumstances surrounding the primary election.
He also stated that Uzodimma’s current tenure as governor would expire on January 14, 2028, arguing that the governor would still be in office when the Senate elected in 2027 is inaugurated.
The suit further alleged that both Okorocha and Uzodimma purchased the APC’s Expression of Interest and nomination forms and were screened and cleared to participate in the direct primary.
Okorocha is seeking 10 reliefs from the court, including the nullification of INEC’s publication and an award of costs against the respondents.