The All Progressives Congress in Imo State has insisted that Governor Hope Uzodimma remains its candidate for Imo West Senatorial District in the 2027 elections, despite a Federal High Court ruling recognising former governor Rochas Okorocha as the party’s candidate.

The party stated this in a press release signed by its State Publicity Secretary, Onwuasoanya Jones, on Thursday, in reaction to the judgment delivered by Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court in Abuja.

The court had ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission to publish Okorocha’s name as the APC candidate for the senatorial district and directed Uzodimma to stop parading himself as the party’s candidate for the January 16, 2027 election.

However, the APC said Uzodimma remained its candidate, having won the party’s primary with the support of the majority of its members.

“The Party wishes to state without any confusion that His Excellency Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma, CON, remains the candidate of our Party for Imo West Senatorial District, having won the primaries of our great Party with the overwhelming support of the majority of our Party members,” the statement read.

The party added that its legal department would study the judgment and determine its next steps.

“The Party’s legal department shall study the outcome of a legal intervention in this matter and act accordingly,” it said.

The APC also urged its members and supporters to remain focused and committed to securing victories across the state’s constituencies.

The dispute followed the May 18, 2026, APC senatorial primary, in which Uzodimma was declared winner with 230,464 votes, while Okorocha polled 1,098 votes, according to the results recognised by INEC.

Okorocha subsequently challenged the outcome in court, disputing Uzodimma’s recognition as the party’s candidate.

In its ruling on Thursday, the court held that Okorocha was the lawful winner of the primary and ordered the APC to submit his name to INEC. It also faulted inconsistencies in documents the party presented to support Uzodimma’s nomination. Punch