Former Imo State governor Rochas Okorocha has filed a lawsuit against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the All Progressives Congress (APC) and incumbent Governor Hope Uzodimma over the commission’s recognition of Uzodimma as the party’s candidate for the Imo West senatorial district in the 2027 general elections.
The originating summons, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1854/2026 and filed on August 13 by Okorocha’s counsel O.J. Aboje, seeks to determine whether INEC is bound by reports from its own officials who monitored the APC primary held on May 18.
Okorocha, a two-time governor of Imo State and registered APC member, contends that he emerged victorious in that primary with 150,780 votes against Uzodimma’s 102,158 votes. He argues that INEC’s subsequent publication of Uzodimma’s name as the candidate on August 1 was wrongful.
The suit poses five questions for determination, including whether the publication of Uzodimma’s name violated Section 183 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), given that the governor’s current tenure is expected to end at midnight on January 14, 2028.
Among the ten reliefs sought, Okorocha asks the Federal High Court in Abuja to declare the INEC publication unconstitutional, set it aside, and direct the commission to recognise and publish his name as the duly nominated APC candidate. He further seeks an order restraining Uzodimma from presenting himself as the party’s nominee for the senatorial seat.
An affidavit in support of the application, deposed to by Amen Rochas, who identified himself as Okorocha’s biological son and personal assistant on political matters, states that the APC National Working Committee directed that primary results be forwarded to the party’s national secretariat for announcement. The deponent asserts that the direct primary was conducted on May 18 and that Okorocha secured the highest votes.
The case has yet to be assigned a hearing date.
