Former Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, has declared his support for the Rainbow Coalition being championed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, following a Federal High Court judgment recognising him as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the Imo West Senatorial District ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Okorocha made his position known on Thursday, October 29, shortly after the court ruled in his favour in the protracted dispute over the APC senatorial ticket with Governor Hope Uzodimma.
The former governor also indicated his readiness to establish the Rainbow Coalition in Imo State, with the stated objective of bringing politicians from different political parties together to support President Bola Tinubu’s re-election campaign in 2027.
Speaking during a television interview, Okorocha praised Wike for promoting cooperation among politicians across party lines.
He suggested that political differences should not prevent individuals from working together when they share common objectives.
According to him, the coalition should focus on governance and the ability of individuals to contribute to the development of the country rather than restricting political cooperation to members of the same party.
“That’s what it’s called, governance. I’ve seen somebody who can do well, even though it’s not from my party. Let’s give them support,” Okorocha said.
The former governor further explained that the proposed arrangement would involve politicians from different political platforms, including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), working together to achieve a common political objective.
He specifically mentioned plans to mobilise PDP members and other political actors in support of Tinubu’s second-term ambition.
He also suggested that some politicians might have to abandon their individual ambitions to achieve the coalition’s broader objective.
“We’re going to bring PDP, all of them to support Tinubu to win. Some people will step down. Some people are sure. Some people will step down their position. Just make sure we achieve one common goal,” he said.
The former governor did not spare the incumbent governor during the interview.
He questioned Uzodimma’s political influence in Imo State and argued that the governor could not independently secure the level of support required to deliver the state for Tinubu.
“Hope cannot carry Imo. Cannot carry South East,” he said.
He further challenged Uzodimma to demonstrate his political strength among the people of Imo State, suggesting that the governor’s influence should not be measured by his position in government alone.
The former governor also dismissed suggestions that his political support was sustained through financial inducements.
He maintained that his relationship with the people was based on personal connections and public affection rather than money.
“So, it’s about love. It’s about genuine love of the people. It’s not about understanding,” Okorocha said.
Court Recognises Okorocha as APC Candidate
The declaration came shortly after Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court in Abuja delivered judgment in the dispute between Okorocha, Uzodimma and the APC over the Imo West Senatorial District ticket.
In the judgment delivered on Thursday, the court ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise Okorocha as the APC candidate for the senatorial election scheduled for January 16, 2027.
The case followed the APC primary election conducted on May 18, 2026, which was monitored by INEC officials.
Following the exercise, Uzodimma was announced as the winner with 230,464 votes, while Okorocha was credited with 1,098 votes.
The former governor rejected the outcome and approached the court to challenge the process and the decision to recognise the incumbent governor as the party’s candidate.
Okorocha argued that the reports and documents from INEC officials who monitored the primary did not support the result announced in favour of Uzodimma.
After examining the evidence presented before it, the court held that Okorocha secured the majority of lawful votes cast during the primary.
Justice Egwuatu consequently ordered the APC to submit his name to INEC and directed the electoral commission to replace Uzodimma’s name with that of the former governor.
The judgment also restrained Uzodimma from continuing to present himself as the APC candidate for the senatorial district.
The ruling represents an important development in the political contest between the two former allies, although the matter may still proceed through the appellate courts.
The Imo State Government has already rejected the judgment.
The state’s Commissioner for Information, Declan Emelumba, described the decision as a travesty of justice and announced that the government would approach the Court of Appeal to challenge it.
This means that the battle over the APC ticket may not be over, despite the Federal High Court’s decision in favour of Okorocha.