Power Tussle in Imo: Okorocha Drags Uzodinma to Court Over 2027 Senate Ticket

The political rivalry between former Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha and incumbent Governor Hope Uzodinma has taken a dramatic legal turn.

Okorocha has approached a Federal High Court in Abuja to disqualify Uzodinma from contesting the 2027 Imo West Senatorial election.

The Core of the Legal Battle

Okorocha’s lawsuit centres on a unique constitutional timeline clash. He argues that Uzodinma cannot legally run for the Senate seat due to overlapping tenures.

The Timeline Clash

The Timeline Clash: Uzodinma was sworn in for his second governorship term on January 15, 2024. His tenure does not officially expire until January 14, 2028.

The Conflict: Okorocha notes that the next Senate will be inaugurated in mid-2027. By then Uzodinma would still be serving as the active governor of Imo State at that time.

The Argument: The affidavit states Uzodinma is constitutionally bound to complete his governorship before seeking another elective office.

Primary Results Disputed

Beyond the constitutional timeline, Okorocha is directly challenging the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary results of May 18, 2026. He insists that he won the direct primary election, not Uzodinma.

Okorocha claims the actual vote count went in his favour. According to him, he scored 150,780 votes against Hope Uzodinma’s 102,158 votes.

What Okorocha is Demanding from the Court

The former governor is seeking several strict legal remedies to overturn the current candidate list.

Among his prayers are that the court should declare the INEC’s publication of Uzodinma’s name unlawful and unconstitutional. Okorocha also wants the court to compel INEC to recognize and publish his name as the legitimate APC candidate for Imo West.

Another prayer is for the court to issue an order barring Uzodimma, the APC, or their proxies from presenting the governor as the senatorial candidate.