Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, has insisted that he remains the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial candidate for Imo West in the 2027 general elections, dismissing suggestions that he would surrender the ticket to former Governor Rochas Okorocha despite a Federal High Court judgment ordering his replacement.
Uzodimma maintained that he would contest the election on the APC platform, describing claims that his senatorial ticket would be taken from him and handed to another candidate as false.
The governor’s declaration followed the October 29, 2026, judgment of the Federal High Court in Abuja, which directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to remove his name as the APC candidate for Imo West Senatorial District and replace it with that of Okorocha.
Delivering the judgment, Justice Obiora Egwuatu held that Uzodimma did not win the APC senatorial primary election conducted on May 18, 2026.
The ruling has since been rejected by the APC in Imo State, which maintained that Uzodimma remained its candidate for the senatorial district.
Speaking on Sunday after attending Mass at the Government House Chapel in Owerri, the Imo State capital, Uzodimma reaffirmed his determination to remain in the race, insisting that his senatorial ticket would not be surrendered to another candidate.
“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,” the governor declared.
Uzodimma also called on residents and supporters of the APC to intensify grassroots mobilisation ahead of the 2027 elections, urging them to campaign for the party’s candidates across the various elective positions.
He maintained that the APC remained the political platform through which he and other candidates would contest the forthcoming elections.
“Go and campaign for the party, our great party, the All Progressives Congress, APC. There is no other political party we are going with,” he said.
“For the House of Assembly, it is APC. For the House of Representatives, it is APC.”
The governor proceeded to identify the individuals he said would represent the APC in the three senatorial districts of Imo State.
“For the Senate, your senator in Okigwe zone is Patrick Ndubueze, in Orlu zone it is my humble self (Hope Uzodimma), and in Owerri zone it is (Alex) Mbata,” he stated.
His comments reaffirmed his position as the party’s candidate for Imo West, also known as the Orlu zone, notwithstanding the Federal High Court judgment directing INEC to recognise Okorocha instead.
The disagreement over the APC senatorial ticket followed the court’s determination that Uzodimma did not emerge as the winner of the party’s May 18 primary election.
While the Imo APC has rejected the judgment and continued to recognise Uzodimma as its candidate, Okorocha has welcomed the ruling as a victory for democracy and the judiciary.
In an earlier statement issued through his Special Adviser on Media, Sam Onwuemodo, the former governor described the court’s decision as a vindication of the rule of law and the constitutional principles governing Nigeria’s democratic process.
Okorocha also commended President Bola Tinubu for what he described as providing an enabling environment for the judiciary and other institutions to discharge their responsibilities towards national development.
“This judgment, to say the least, is a resounding victory for the nation’s judiciary. It is a victory for the nation’s fast-growing democracy. It is an outstanding victory for the nation’s Constitution, as amended,” Okorocha stated.
He further described the judgment as a victory for those committed to justice and fairness.
“It is a remarkable victory for all lovers of what is right and haters of what is wrong. It is a notable victory for posterity and history.
“Finally, it is a victory for Imo people in general, and Imo West Senatorial District people in particular,” he added.
Post Title: “Tell Anyone Saying My Ticket Will Be Taken That It Is A Lie” — Uzodimma Insists On Imo West Senate Race Despite Okorocha’s Court Victory By Naijaonpoint.