Imo West: Uzodimma insist on APC senatorial ticket amidst courtroom judgement

Imo state governor, Hope Uzodimma, has insisted that he is not going to relinquish his ambition to characterize Imo West Senatorial District within the 2027 basic elections, dismissing strategies that he would give up the All Progressives Congress (APC) ticket to a different aspirant.

Uzodimma made the declaration on Sunday after attending Mass on the Government House Chapel in Owerri, the state capital, amid the controversy surrounding a Federal High Court judgment that nullified his emergence because the APC senatorial candidate for Imo West and declared former Governor Rochas Okorocha the winner of the social gathering’s major election.

The governor described as false reviews or strategies that he would maintain on to the ticket just for it to be handed over to a different individual, blueprint reviews.

“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 mentioned.

His remarks sign his willpower to maintain his senatorial ambition regardless of the October 29 judgment by the Federal High Court in Abuja, which directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to exchange his identify with that of Okorocha.

Uzodimma rallies assist for APC candidates

Beyond defending his ambition, the governor urged residents of Imo state to assist the APC and its candidates throughout elective positions within the forthcoming elections.

He known as on social gathering supporters to mobilise for the APC, insisting that the social gathering remained the platform via which candidates would contest the elections.

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

He additionally listed candidates for the assorted legislative positions, naming Patrick Ndubueze for Okigwe Senatorial District, himself for Orlu Senatorial District and Alex Mbata for Owerri Senatorial District.

“For the House of Assembly, it is APC. For the House of Representatives, it is APC,” the governor added.

His reference to himself because the APC’s candidate for Orlu, which is also referred to as Imo West Senatorial District, comes regardless of the courtroom’s directive in favour of Okorocha.

Court declares Okorocha winner of APC major

The dispute adopted a judgment delivered on October 29, 2026, by Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, in a go well with filed by Okorocha towards INEC, the APC and Uzodimma.

The former governor had challenged the popularity of Uzodimma because the APC candidate for Imo West, arguing that he received the social gathering’s senatorial major performed on May 18, 2026.

In its judgment, the courtroom held that the proof earlier than it established that Okorocha secured nearly all of votes forged on the major election monitored by INEC.

Justice Egwuatu consequently ordered the APC to ahead Okorocha’s identify to INEC and directed the electoral fee to publish him because the social gathering’s candidate for the 2027 senatorial election.

The courtroom additionally restrained Uzodimma from presenting himself because the APC candidate for the district.

The ruling adopted questions surrounding the social gathering’s submission of Uzodimma’s identify to INEC regardless of the results of the first election monitored by the fee.

The judgment has positioned the APC’s Imo West senatorial contest on the centre of a political and authorized dispute involving two former governors of the state.

Uzodimma vows to attraction

Uzodimma had earlier rejected the judgment and indicated his intention to problem it on the Court of Appeal.

His Chief Press Secretary, Oguike Nwachuku, instructed Premium Times that the governor thought of the ruling a travesty of justice and would attraction it.

The governor’s newest declaration reinforces his place that he intends to stay within the contest relatively than voluntarily relinquish the ticket.

However, the authorized dispute stays important as a result of the Federal High Court’s order expressly directed INEC to recognise Okorocha, whereas Uzodimma’s camp has maintained that the judgment needs to be overturned on attraction.

The APC in Imo State has additionally rejected the end result, insisting that Uzodimma stays its candidate for the senatorial district.

Okorocha describes judgment as victory for democracy

Meanwhile, Okorocha has welcomed the courtroom ruling, describing it as a victory for the judiciary, democracy and the individuals of Imo State.

In an announcement issued by his Special Adviser on Media, Sam Onwuemodo, the previous governor recommended President Bola Tinubu for what he described as offering an enabling setting for the judiciary and different establishments to operate.

Okorocha mentioned the judgment represented a victory for the nation’s Constitution, democratic improvement and the individuals of Imo West Senatorial District.

“This judgment, to say the least, is a resounding victory for the nation’s judiciary. It is a victory for the nation’s fast-growing democracy. It is an outstanding victory for the nation’s Constitution, as amended,” he mentioned.

He additional described the ruling as a victory for posterity and historical past, in addition to for individuals who consider in what is correct.

“Finally, it is a victory for Imo people in general, and Imo West Senatorial District people in particular,” he added.

The dispute now locations the 2 political camps on opposing sides, with Uzodimma insisting he is not going to give up his ambition and Okorocha counting on the courtroom judgment declaring him winner of the APC major.

The eventual final result of the attraction and any consequential motion by INEC might be central to figuring out who represents the APC within the Imo West Senatorial contest in 2027.