…orders INEC to publish Okorocha’s name
Justice Obiora Egwuatu of a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has ordered the Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodinma, to immediately stop presenting himself as the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the Imo West Senatorial election slated for January 16, 2027.
Justice Egwuatu issued the order on Thursday after holding that Uzodinma did not win the May 18 primary election conducted by the APC and monitored by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The judge, in his judgment, held that evidence presented before the court proved that former governor Rochas Okorocha actually won majority of the lawful votes cast at the poll and should be published winner of the election.
Justice Egwuatu subsequently ordered the APC to forward Okorocha’s name as candidate of the APC in the 2027 general elections for Imo West Senatorial election and ordered the electoral body to publish his name.
This is a major political setback to Gov. Uzodinma who was looking to challenging Senator Godswill Akpabio for the position of Senate President in June 2027.
The judgement is celebrated by supporters of Akpabio and FCT Minister Nyesom Wike. There has been no love lost between the Imo State governor and FCT Minister in the last one year. Some pundits are already claiming that the judgment might be Wike’s handwriting on the wall.
