Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma has insisted that he remains the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Imo West Senatorial District in the 2027 elections, dismissing claims that former governor Rochas Okorocha will take over the ticket.
Uzodimma’s position comes despite a Federal High Court judgment directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to replace his name with Okorocha’s as the APC candidate for the district.
The court, presided over by Justice Obiora Egwuatu, ruled on October 29 that Uzodimma did not win the party’s senatorial primary held on May 18, 2026.
Speaking on Sunday after attending Mass at the Government House Chapel in Owerri, the governor rejected suggestions that he would surrender the ticket.
“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.
Uzodimma urged APC members and supporters to intensify grassroots mobilisation ahead of the 2027 elections, insisting that the party remained the platform through which its candidates would contest.
He listed the APC’s expected candidates for the state’s senatorial districts, naming Patrick Ndubueze for Okigwe, himself for Orlu and Alex Mbata for Owerri.
The governor’s declaration followed the court’s order directing INEC to recognise Okorocha as the APC candidate for Imo West.
The Imo APC has rejected the ruling and continued to recognise Uzodimma as its candidate.
Okorocha, however, welcomed the judgment, describing it as a victory for democracy, the rule of law and the judiciary.
In a statement issued through his media aide, Sam Onwuemodo, the former governor also commended President Bola Tinubu for what he described as providing an enabling environment for the judiciary to discharge its duties.
The dispute over the party’s senatorial ticket remains unresolved, with Uzodimma maintaining his claim to the nomination despite the court’s decision.
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