A Federal High Court in Abuja has declared former Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, the winner of the All Progressives Congress senatorial primary for Imo West ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The court directed the Independent National Electoral Commission to publish Okorocha’s name as the APC candidate for the Imo West Senatorial District in the election scheduled for January 16, 2027.

Justice Obiora Egwuatu, who delivered the judgment on Thursday, also ordered Governor Hope Uzodimma to stop presenting himself as the APC’s senatorial candidate for the district.

The judgment followed a suit filed by Okorocha challenging INEC’s recognition of Uzodimma as the party’s candidate.

Justice Egwuatu held that the evidence presented before the court established that Okorocha won the APC primary conducted on May 18, 2026, which was monitored by INEC.

Consequently, the judge directed the APC to submit Okorocha’s name to the electoral commission as its candidate for the forthcoming senatorial election.

The dispute arose from conflicting claims over the outcome of the party’s primary election.INEC’s official results had recognised Uzodimma as the winner with 230,464 votes, while Okorocha was credited with 1,098 votes.

Dissatisfied with the outcome, Okorocha instituted suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/1854/2026, challenging INEC’s recognition of Uzodimma and raising questions about the governor’s eligibility to contest the senatorial election while still in office.

The latest ruling marks a significant development in the APC’s preparations for the 2027 general elections in Imo State.