Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, has reaffirmed his intention to contest the 2027 Imo West Senatorial election, dismissing reports that he would relinquish his ambition in favour of another candidate as “a lie”.
This comes after a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, on October 29, 2026, directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to remove Uzodimma’s name as the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial candidate for Imo West and replace it with that of former Governor Rochas Okorocha.
Justice Obiora Egwuatu, in his ruling, held that Uzodimma did not emerge victorious in the APC primary election conducted on May 18.
However, the APC in Imo State has rejected the judgment, maintaining that Uzodimma remains its candidate for the Imo West Senatorial District.
Speaking on Sunday after attending Mass at the Government House Chapel in Owerri, the state capital, Uzodimma dismissed claims that he would surrender his senatorial ticket to another aspirant.
“If they tell you that I will hold this ticket and somebody will collect it and give it to another, tell the person it is a lie,” he said.
The governor also urged residents to mobilise support for the APC, calling on them to campaign for the party’s candidates across all elective positions in the forthcoming elections.
“Go and campaign for the party, our great party, the All Progressives Congress, APC. There is no other political party we are going with.
“For the House of Assembly, it is APC. For the House of Representatives, it is APC,” the governor said.
He further identified the party’s senatorial candidates for the three zones in the state, naming Patrick Ndubueze for Okigwe, himself for Orlu and Alex Mbata for Owerri.
He added, “For the Senate, your senator in Okigwe zone is Patrick Ndubueze, in Orlu zone it is my humble self (Hope Uzodimma), and in Owerri zone it is (Alex) Mbata.”
Meanwhile, Okorocha had earlier described the court judgment invalidating Uzodimma’s candidacy as a victory for the judiciary and democracy in Nigeria.
In a statement released by his Special Adviser on Media, Sam Onwuemodo, the former governor also praised President Bola Tinubu for creating an environment that allows the judiciary and other institutions to function towards the country’s development.
Okorocha stated, “This judgment, to say the least, is a resounding victory for the nation’s judiciary. It is a victory for the nation’s fast-growing democracy. It is an outstanding victory for the nation’s Constitution, as amended.
He added, “It is a remarkable victory for all lovers of what is right and haters of what is wrong. It is a notable victory for posterity and history.
“Finally, it is a victory for Imo people in general, and Imo West Senatorial District people in particular.”
