ABUJA — The Federal High Court in Abuja has declared former Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, the winner of the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary for Imo West Senatorial District ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Justice Obiora Egwuatu, in his judgment on Thursday, ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to publish Okorocha’s name as the party’s candidate for the senatorial election scheduled for January 16, 2027.

The judge also directed Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma to stop presenting himself as the APC’s candidate for the senatorial seat.

The judgment followed a suit filed by Okorocha challenging INEC’s recognition of Uzodimma as the party’s candidate for Imo West.

Justice Egwuatu held that the evidence presented before the court established that Okorocha won the APC primary conducted on May 18, 2026, which was monitored by INEC officials.

The court consequently ordered the APC to forward Okorocha’s name to INEC for publication as its duly nominated candidate for the election.

The dispute arose from conflicting claims over the outcome of the party’s primary. INEC’s previously recognised results listed Uzodimma as the winner with 230,464 votes, while Okorocha was recorded as having secured 1,098 votes.

Dissatisfied with the outcome, Okorocha instituted suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1854/2026, challenging the commission’s decision to recognise Uzodimma and raising questions about the governor’s eligibility to contest the senatorial election while still in office.

The court’s decision represents a significant development in the contest for the APC ticket in Imo West ahead of the 2027 elections.

The ruling places the responsibility on the APC and INEC to implement the court’s directives regarding the party’s candidate for the senatorial district.