Former Imo State Governor and Senator Rochas Okorocha has taken the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to court over the listing of Governor Hope Uzodimma as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the Imo West Senatorial District election in 2027.
Okorocha is asking the court to direct INEC to recognise and publish his name as the legitimate APC candidate for the election.
The former governor, who served two terms in Imo State, raised five issues for the court to determine in the suit.
Among his arguments, Okorocha wants the court to establish whether INEC should rely on reports submitted by its officials who monitored the APC primary election held on May 18.
He maintains that he emerged victorious from the primary and therefore should have been recognised as the party’s candidate for the Imo West senatorial contest.
Okorocha is also challenging INEC’s decision to publish Uzodimma’s name on August 1 as the winner of the APC primary, arguing that the commission’s action was inconsistent with the provisions of Section 183 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.
The former governor has asked the court to grant 10 separate reliefs if it rules in his favour.
The legal action has introduced another major political battle within the APC in Imo State ahead of the 2027 general elections.
