Key Takeaways
- The Imo State Government has rejected a Federal High Court judgment declaring Rochas Okorocha winner of the APC primary for Imo West Senatorial District.
- Justice Egwuatu ordered the APC to submit Okorocha’s name to INEC and directed Governor Hope Uzodimma to stop presenting himself as the party’s candidate.
- Information Commissioner Declan Emelumba said the government would appeal, arguing that Okorocha filed his suit 87 days after the primary, beyond the 14-day limit.
The Imo State Government has rejected a Federal High Court judgment in Abuja that declared former governor, Rochas Okorocha, the winner of the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary for Imo West Senatorial District.
The state Commissioner for Information, Declan Emelumba, said on Thursday that the ruling was “a complete travesty of justice,” adding that it would be challenged at the Court of Appeal.
Justice Egwuatu had, on Thursday, ordered Governor Hope Uzodimma to stop parading himself as the APC candidate for the Imo West senatorial election scheduled for January 16, 2027.
The judge held that the governor did not win the May 18 primary the party conducted and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) monitored.
He ruled that the evidence showed Okorocha polled the majority of votes and should be declared the winner, and ordered the APC to submit his name to INEC as its candidate.
Emelumba, however, accused the trial judge of disregarding Supreme Court precedents in arriving at the judgment.
He said the court was presented with apex court decisions holding that an originating summons could not determine allegations of forgery and perjury.
