Imo West Primary: Uzodimma Is Our Authentic Candidate, APC Insists

The Imo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has maintained that Governor Hope Uzodimma remains its candidate for the Imo West Senatorial District in the 2027 general elections.

The party, in a statement by its State Chairman, Austin Onyedebelu, rejected the judgment of the Federal High Court, which declared former governor Rochas Okorocha the winner of the APC primary for the senatorial district.

It stated that the judgment delivered by Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Thursday, October 29, 2026, against Uzodimma raises grave concerns about constitutional compliance, the application of established judicial precedents, and the evaluation of evidence.

The party also described it as “deeply troubling” and believes that the legal questions arising from it warrant rigorous scrutiny.

It said that a judgment that appears to depart from established constitutional principles and raises questions about the treatment of material evidence risks undermining public confidence in the administration of justice.

“Section 285(9) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), prescribes a 14-day period for instituting pre-election matters within its scope. The APC Imo West Senatorial District primary election was held on May 18, 2026. However, former Governor Rochas Okorocha reportedly instituted his action on August 13, 2026, long after the constitutionally prescribed period had elapsed.

“Our concern is straightforward: where an applicant approaches the court seeking to be declared the winner of a party primary, the question of when the cause of action arose and whether the action was instituted within the constitutionally prescribed period becomes fundamental to the court’s jurisdiction,” the APC stated.

It stated that it was concerned that the judgment did not sufficiently resolve the implications of the disputed documents and the procedure through which the allegations were presented.

These, it said, were substantial issues that deserve further judicial consideration, particularly in a pre- election dispute capable of determining a political party’s candidate for an entire senatorial district.

“Perhaps the most troubling aspect of this case is the dispute over the authenticity and origin of the documents relied upon by the applicant. During the proceedings, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) reportedly maintained that the documents tendered were not in its custody, had not been certified by the commission, and bore a stamp and signature that it did not recognise as authentic.

“Similarly, the All Progressives Congress, the political party at the centre of the dispute, reportedly maintained that the documents did not emanate from its recognised organs and were not in its custody. These objections raise questions that cannot be brushed aside lightly,” the party stated.

“Where the institution from which a document is purported to have originated disputes its authenticity, and the political party concerned similarly disowns the document, the court must carefully examine the evidence and explain the basis for its conclusions. We are deeply concerned that, notwithstanding the objections reportedly raised by INEC and the APC, the court proceeded in a manner that, in our view, failed to give sufficient weight to these material issues.”

The APC also faulted the court’s treatment of INEC’s position, which it said was reportedly characterised as an afterthought.

“We believe that the evidence and objections presented by the commission, the APC and the relevant party directorate responsible for its records deserved thorough and transparent consideration.

“The fundamental question is this: where both the electoral commission and the political party dispute the authenticity and origin of documents relied upon in a pre-election case, what evidentiary basis justifies the court’s ultimate conclusion? This question goes to the heart of the dispute and deserves a clear answer through the appropriate judicial process,” it added.

It further stated that while the court undoubtedly has the authority to evaluate evidence and determine its weight, that authority must be exercised in accordance with the law, the evidence on record and the principles of fair hearing.

“Justice must not only be done; it must be seen to be done through a process that commands the confidence of the parties and the public. We will study the judgment and pursue all lawful remedies.

“As the judgment has only just been delivered, we will undertake a thorough examination of the court’s reasoning, findings and conclusions before determining the appropriate legal steps,” the party said.

“Our position remains unchanged: Hope Uzodimma is our authentic candidate. We reiterate our position that His Excellency, Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma, emerged as the authentic winner of the APC Imo West Senatorial District primary election held on May 18, 2026. We remain confident in our position and will pursue all lawful avenues available to defend it.”