By News Desk
ABUJA, Nigeria — Former Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha has filed a suit before the Federal High Court in Abuja challenging the publication of Governor Hope Uzodimma as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the Imo West Senatorial District.
The lawsuit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1854/2026, lists the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Governor Hope Uzodimma, and the All Progressives Congress (APC) as respondents.
Core Reliefs Sought in the Application
In the suit filed by his legal counsel, Okorocha is asking the court to set aside the submission and publication of Uzodimma’s name, asserting his claim as the validly nominated APC candidate for the district.
The primary prayers before the court include:
- Injunction Against Publication: An order restraining INEC from recognizing or publishing Governor Hope Uzodimma as the official APC flagbearer for Imo West Senatorial District.
- Declaration of Candidacy: A judicial declaration affirming Okorocha as the rightful candidate based on party primary outcomes and constitutional nomination procedures.
- Directive to Electoral Body: Mandating INEC to accept and publish Okorocha’s credentials as the recognized candidate for the senatorial seat.
Pre-Election Litigation Context
The legal filing comes amid heightened pre-election litigation as political parties finalize primary election outcomes and candidate lists ahead of official campaign windows. Under current electoral law frameworks, intra-party nomination disputes and candidate qualification challenges must be litigated before regular civil courts prior to the conduct of voting.
Neither the APC national leadership, Governor Uzodimma’s legal team, nor INEC officials have issued a formal public response to the court filings.
