A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to replace Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma with former governor Rochas Okorocha as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Imo West Senatorial District in the 2027 general elections.

Justice Obiora Egwuatu gave the order on Thursday, ruling that Uzodinma did not win the APC senatorial primary election conducted on May 18 and monitored by INEC.

The judge held that evidence presented before the court showed that Okorocha secured the majority of votes cast during the primary and should be recognised as the winner.

Egwuatu consequently directed INEC to remove Uzodinma’s name from the list of candidates for the senatorial district and publish Okorocha as the winner of the primary.

The court also ordered the APC to submit Okorocha’s name to INEC as its candidate for the Imo West Senatorial District in the 2027 elections.