Okorocha sues INEC, APC, Uzodimma over Imo West ticket

The 2023 governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State, Senator Teslim Folarin; former Minister of Power and governorship aspirant, Adebayo Adelabu and other aggrieved members were absent on Wednesday as the APC National Chairman, Prof. NentaweYilwatda, met with the state’s reconciliation committee in Ibadan.

Other governorship aspirants and prominent members absent from the meeting included Akeem Agbaje, Hakeem Alao and former deputy governor, Rauf Olaniyan.

In Imo State, former Governor Rochas Okorocha sued the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the APC and Governor Hope Uzodimma at the Federal High Court over the publication of Uzodimma’s name as the APC candidate for the Imo West Senatorial District election in 2027.

The Oyo reconciliation meeting was part of the APC’s renewed efforts to reconcile aggrieved members, strengthen its structure and unite stakeholders ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Speaking with journalists after the meeting, Yilwatda described reconciliation as an ongoing process, saying the party would continue to engage with members and stakeholders to resolve grievances.

While inaugurating the APC campaign office in Ibadan, he acknowledged grievances arising from the party’s primaries and urged the stakeholders to forgive and unite ahead of the 2027 general elections. He added that NWC accepted responsibility for mistakes committed by committees tasked with conducting the exercises.

He stressed the need for unity among APC members in Oyo, saying it remained crucial to the party’s chances of reclaiming the state in 2027.

Describing the party as one family, Yilwatda noted that disagreements were inevitable but should not be allowed to weaken the party.

He said the APC was determined to ensure that differences among members did not undermine its electoral prospects, urging stakeholders to put the party’s interests above individual ambitions.

On last weekend’s governorship election in Osun State, Yilwatda said the APC had not taken an official position on the outcome. He explained that the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) would review the election with its candidate and other stakeholders before deciding on the appropriate position.

Co-Chairman of the Oyo State APC Reconciliation Committee, Senator Olufemi Lanlehin, said the committee was working to resolve grievances arising from the party’s recent primaries.

Lanlehin acknowledged that some members were dissatisfied with the outcome of the primaries but urged stakeholders to put their differences aside and work towards a common objective.

He expressed confidence that the APC could reclaim Oyo in 2027, urging party leaders, aspirants and members to embrace the reconciliation process.

OKOROCHA, through his lawyer, O.J. Aboje, filed the suit on August 13, 2026, seeking to determine the validity of INEC’s publication of Uzodinma as the winner of the APC senatorial primary.

The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1854/2026, contains five questions for determination and 10 reliefs sought by the former governor.

The Imo West senator is challenging the publication of Uzodimma’s name, insisting that he won the APC primary conducted on May 18 to nominate the party’s candidate for the Imo West senatorial election.

Among other issues, he wants the court to determine whether INEC was bound by reports submitted by its officials who monitored the APC primary and whether the commission could publish Uzodimma’s name despite the outcome of the primary, as allegedly monitored by its officers.

He is also asking the court to determine whether, having regard to Section 183 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, Uzodimma was eligible to be published as the APC senatorial candidate while still serving as governor.

The former governor further wants the court to restrain Uzodimma, whether personally or through the APC or any other person, from presenting himself as the party’s nominated candidate for the election.

He is also seeking an order awarding costs against the respondents.

In an affidavit filed in support of the suit, Amen Rochas, who described Okorocha as his biological father and identified himself as the former governor’s Personal Assistant on Political Matters, said he was familiar with the facts and circumstances surrounding the case.

He further stated that Uzodimma’s tenure as governor would expire at midnight on January 14, 2028, having been sworn in for his second term on January 15, 2024. He argued that Uzodimma’s tenure would still be running when the Senate elected in 2027 is inaugurated and alleged that the governor nevertheless purchased an expression of interest and nomination forms to contest the Imo West senatorial seat.

The affidavit also alleged that the APC’s NWC directed that the result of the primary be forwarded to the party’s national secretariat for announcement, adding that in the direct primary election of May 18, 2026, Okorocha emerged winner with 150,780 votes, while Uzodinma polled 102,158.

The suit is before the Federal High Court for determination.