If they inform you that I’ll maintain this ticket and anyone will acquire it and provides it to a different, inform the individual it’s a lie – Governor Uzodimma speaks after courtroom judgement

Crime

By Linda Ikeji
11 November 2026, 2:12 pm

Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma has vowed to proceed pursuing the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial ticket for Imo West, regardless of a Federal High Court ruling that eliminated him because the social gathering’s candidate and named his predecessor, Rochas Okorocha, in his place.

Uzodimma spoke after attending Mass on the Government House Chapel in Owerri, Vanguard reported. He dismissed solutions that he would hand over his bid for the Senate within the 2027 common elections. “If they tell you that I will hold this ticket and somebody will collect it and give it to another, tell the person it is a lie,” he stated.

The governor urged residents to marketing campaign for the APC in state and federal races. He named Patrick Ndubueze for Okigwe and Alex Mbata for Owerri, whereas persevering with to current himself because the social gathering’s candidate for Orlu, which makes up the Imo West senatorial district.

“Go and campaign for the party, our great party, the APC. There is no other political party we are going with,” he stated.

Okorocha had earlier welcomed the October ruling in a press release issued by his media adviser, Sam Onwuemeodo. He described it as a victory for the judiciary, democracy and the structure, and praised President Bola Tinubu for “providing the enabling environment” for the judiciary and different establishments to operate.

“This judgement, to say the least, is a resounding victory for the nation’s judiciary,” Okorocha stated. “Finally, it is a victory for Imo people in general, and Imo West Senatorial District people in particular.”

The dispute stems from the APC senatorial main held on May 18. The preliminary outcomes confirmed Uzodimma successful with 230,464 votes to Okorocha’s 1,098. The APC forwarded Uzodimma’s identify to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which initially recognised him because the social gathering’s candidate. A separate doc later emerged naming Okorocha because the winner with 150,780 votes.

In letters dated October 5 and eight, INEC’s resident electoral commissioner in Imo, Chukwuemeka Ibeziako, described the doc naming Okorocha because the winner as “fictitious”. He stated the genuine monitoring report recognized Uzodimma because the winner. INEC despatched copies of each paperwork to the State Security Service and the Nigeria Police Force and requested them to research the origin and authenticity of the disputed report.

Okorocha filed go well with towards INEC, Uzodimma and the APC on the Federal High Court in Abuja in August. He requested the courtroom to find out whether or not INEC was sure by the reviews of its officers who monitored the first and whether or not it was proper to recognise Uzodimma because the winner.

The former governor additionally questioned whether or not Uzodimma might contest the senatorial election whereas nonetheless serving as governor. Uzodimma’s second time period is because of finish in January 2028, whereas the subsequent Senate is anticipated to be inaugurated in June 2027. Section 183 of the 1999 Constitution bars a sitting governor from holding one other government workplace or paid employment. Premium Times reported that Uzodimma deliberate to resign as governor earlier than the tip of his time period if elected to the Senate.

After the ruling, the APC’s Imo State chapter maintained that Uzodimma remained its candidate. Its spokesperson, Jones Onwuasoanya, stated the social gathering would determine its subsequent steps after reviewing the judgment.

“The party’s legal department shall study the outcome of a legal intervention in this matter and act accordingly,” Onwuasoanya stated.