Former Governor Rochas Okorocha has filed a lawsuit against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over its publication of Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the 2027 Imo West Senatorial District election. The suit, filed by his lawyer O.J. Aboje, also names the APC as a defendant.
Legal Challenge and Background
According to the News Agency of Nigeria, the originating summons, filed on 13 August, is marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1854/2026. Okorocha, a former senator, posed five questions for the court's determination. He wants the court to decide whether INEC is bound by the reports of its officers who monitored the APC primaries held on 18 May for the nomination of the party's candidate for the Imo West Senatorial District in the 2027 general elections, which he claims he won.
Okorocha also seeks a ruling on whether, under Section 183 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), INEC's publication of Uzodimma's name on 1 August as the winner of the APC primary was wrongful. He has requested ten reliefs if the court answers his questions in his favour.
Reliefs Sought and Affidavit Details
The applicant urges the court to declare that it was unconstitutional for INEC to publish Uzodimma's name as the APC candidate on 1 August, given that Uzodimma did not emerge as the winner of the primary held on 18 May. He seeks an order setting aside or voiding the publication that declared Uzodimma as the candidate with the highest votes in the primary.
Okorocha also prays for an order directing INEC to recognise and publish his name as the duly nominated APC candidate for the poll. Additionally, he seeks an order prohibiting Uzodimma, whether by himself, through the APC, or anyone else, from parading as the party's nominated candidate. He has also requested an order awarding costs against the respondents as the court deems appropriate.
In the affidavit supporting the suit, Amen Rochas deposed that Okorocha is his biological father and that, as his personal assistant on political matters, he is familiar with the facts. He stated that Okorocha, born on 22 September 1962, is a registered, financial card-carrying member of APC. Amen also noted that Uzodimma's tenure as governor will expire at midnight on 14 January 2028, having taken the oath of office on 15 January 2024.
The affidavit further states that Uzodimma, whose gubernatorial tenure would not have expired by 2027 when the Senate is inaugurated after the general election, also purchased Expression of Interest and nomination forms for the senatorial candidacy. The APC's National Working Committee directed that results be forwarded to the party's national secretariat for announcement.
Primary Results and Next Steps
According to the affidavit, the APC conducted the direct primary election on 18 May, and Okorocha emerged victorious with 150,780 votes, while Uzodimma scored 102,158 votes. The suit now awaits the court's determination on the questions posed, with potential implications for the APC's candidate list for the 2027 Imo West Senatorial District election.
