By Seyi Odewale
Senator Rochas Okorocha has dragged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) before the court over the commission’s recognition and publication of Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the Imo West Senatorial District in the 2027 election.
Okorocha, a former governor of Imo State who served two terms, is challenging the electoral commission’s decision to list Uzodimma as the winner of the APC senatorial primary.
In the suit, the senator raised five issues for determination, including whether INEC was legally bound to rely on reports submitted by its officials who monitored the APC primary conducted on May 18.
He contended that the primary produced him as the winner and questioned the basis upon which INEC subsequently published Uzodimma’s name as the party’s candidate.
Okorocha is also asking the court to determine whether, in view of Section 183 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, Uzodimma was eligible to be presented as the APC candidate while still serving as governor.
The former governor is seeking 10 reliefs from the court if it upholds his claims.
Among other things, he wants the court to declare INEC’s publication of Uzodimma’s name unconstitutional because the governor did not win the APC primary held on May 18.
He is also asking the court to nullify the commission’s publication of Uzodimma as the candidate who secured the highest number of votes at the primary.
Okorocha further wants an order compelling INEC to recognise and publish his name as the duly nominated APC candidate for the Imo West senatorial election.
He is equally seeking an order restraining Uzodimma, the APC or any person acting on their behalf from presenting or holding the governor out as the party’s senatorial candidate.
The senator is also asking the court to award costs against the respondents as it considers appropriate.
In the affidavit filed in support of the suit, Amen Rochas, who identified himself as Okorocha’s biological son, said he was familiar with the facts of the case in his capacity as his father’s Personal Assistant on Political Matters.
He stated that Okorocha, born on September 22, 1962, is a registered and financially active member of the APC.
The deponent further argued that Uzodimma’s tenure as governor of Imo is expected to end at midnight on January 14, 2028, having taken the oath of office for his second term on January 15, 2024.
He contended that the governor would still be in office when the Senate elected in 2027 is inaugurated, raising questions over his eligibility to contest the senatorial seat.
According to the affidavit, Uzodimma nevertheless obtained the APC Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms to contest the Imo West senatorial ticket.
It further stated that Okorocha and other aspirants seeking APC tickets for various elective positions were screened and cleared to participate in the party’s direct primaries.
The affidavit alleged that the APC National Working Committee directed that the results of the primaries be forwarded to the party’s national secretariat for announcement.
It further claimed that the May 18 direct primary in Imo West produced Okorocha as the winner with 150,780 votes, while Uzodimma polled 102,158 votes.
The suit is therefore challenging INEC’s subsequent recognition of Uzodimma as the APC candidate and seeking judicial intervention over the disputed nomination.
