The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Imo State has insisted that Governor Hope Uzodimma remains its candidate for the Imo West Senatorial District in the 2027 elections, despite a Federal High Court judgment recognising former governor Rochas Okorocha as the winner of the party’s primary election.

The party’s state publicity secretary, Jones Onwuasoanya, stated this in a statement issued on Thursday, maintaining that Uzodimma’s candidacy remained unchanged.

According to the APC, Uzodimma secured the party’s ticket through a primary election in which he enjoyed the support of the majority of its members.

“The party wishes to state without any confusion that His Excellency Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma, CON, remains the candidate of our party for Imo West Senatorial District, having won the primaries of our great party with the overwhelming support of the majority of our party members,” the statement read.

The party, however, disclosed that its legal department would examine the court’s judgment before deciding on its next line of action.

“The Party’s legal department shall study the outcome of a legal intervention in this matter and act accordingly,” Onwuasoanya said.

The APC also called on its members and supporters to remain focused and committed to securing the party’s victory across constituencies in the state.

The party’s declaration came hours after the Federal High Court in Abuja ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to remove Uzodimma’s name as the APC’s candidate for Imo West and recognise Okorocha instead.

In his judgment, Justice Obiora Egwuatu held that the evidence presented before the court showed that Okorocha secured the majority of votes in the party’s primary conducted on May 18.

The judge criticised INEC’s acceptance of Uzodimma’s nomination, citing what he described as “overwhelming documentary evidence that the governor did not win the primary”.

Okorocha, who governed Imo State between 2011 and 2019, had filed a suit in August challenging INEC’s recognition of Uzodimma as the party’s senatorial candidate.

The former governor argued that the electoral commission was obligated to rely on reports submitted by its officials who monitored the primary election.

Despite the court’s directive, the APC’s position signals a continuing dispute over the party’s representation in Imo West ahead of the 2027 elections, with the party’s legal team expected to review the judgment and determine its next steps.