Okorocha Urges Uzodimma to Rein In Aides Over Attacks on Judiciary Amid Imo APC Senatorial Ticket Dispute.

Okorocha Urges Uzodimma to Rein In Aides Over Attacks on Judiciary Amid Imo APC Senatorial Ticket Dispute.

Former Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, has called on his successor, Governor Hope Uzodimma, to caution his aides and political associates against making disparaging remarks about the judiciary following a Federal High Court judgment concerning the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial ticket for Imo West.

Okorocha made the appeal on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, while speaking at the Federal High Court premises in Abuja, where he had visited the court registry to sign documents connected with Uzodimma’s appeal against the judgment.

The controversy follows an October 29 ruling by Justice Obiora Egwuatu, which declared Okorocha the lawful winner of the APC senatorial primary for Imo West ahead of the 2027 general elections. The court also directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise and publish Okorocha’s name as the party’s candidate, replacing Uzodimma.

Reacting to comments allegedly made by some of the governor’s aides and an APC national officer, Okorocha described the criticism directed at the presiding judge as inappropriate and damaging to public confidence in the judiciary.

He questioned what he considered inconsistent attitudes towards judicial decisions, arguing that political actors should not celebrate court rulings when they favour them and subsequently discredit the judiciary when decisions go against their interests.

The former governor urged Uzodimma to restrain his supporters and allow the established legal process to determine the outcome of the dispute.

Okorocha also challenged the governor to pursue his appeal through the appropriate judicial channels, including the Supreme Court, rather than allowing political associates to attack the court and its officials.

He further defended the October 29 judgment, pointing to alleged inconsistencies in documents submitted during the proceedings concerning the date and circumstances of the APC primary election.

According to Okorocha, discrepancies in the documents relating to whether the primary took place on May 16 or May 18, alongside conflicting claims about whether Uzodimma emerged through consensus, were central to the court’s decision.

He also questioned the authenticity of certain documents allegedly presented in support of the governor’s nomination, although those allegations remain subject to the ongoing legal proceedings.

Meanwhile, Uzodimma has rejected the judgment and indicated his intention to challenge it at the appellate court. His position was communicated through his Chief Press Secretary, Oguike Nwachuku, who described the ruling as a travesty of justice and expressed confidence that it would be overturned.

The APC has also taken steps to challenge the decision, setting the stage for further legal proceedings over the party’s representation in the Imo West Senatorial District ahead of the 2027 elections.

The dispute has exposed renewed tensions within the APC in Imo State, particularly between two prominent political figures whose rivalry has continued to shape the state’s political landscape.

Beyond the immediate question of who will represent the party in the senatorial election, the controversy raises broader concerns about internal party democracy, compliance with electoral procedures and respect for judicial institutions.

Okorocha maintained that political disagreements should be resolved through constitutional and judicial mechanisms, stressing the importance of protecting the independence and credibility of Nigeria’s judiciary.

As the legal battle progresses, the final determination of the APC’s Imo West senatorial candidacy will depend on the outcome of the appellate proceedings.