Okorocha Says He Is Unhappy Over Court Victory in Imo West Senate Dispute

Former Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, has said he is not happy that a Federal High Court in Abuja declared him the winner of the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary for the Imo West Senatorial District ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Okorocha made the remark on Thursday while reacting to the judgment that restrained incumbent Governor Hope Uzodimma from presenting himself as the APC candidate for the senatorial election scheduled for January 16, 2027.

Justice Obiora Egwuatu, who delivered the judgment, held that evidence presented before the court established that Okorocha won the majority of votes cast during the party’s primary election.

The court consequently ordered the APC to recognise Okorocha as the winner of the primary and forward his name to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as its candidate for Imo West.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Okorocha said he appreciated the judgment because it had addressed allegations previously levelled against him, particularly claims that he forged documents relating to the senatorial primary.

“Thousands of Nigerians have called and come to my office to congratulate me. I’m also not happy that I was declared the winner, but my happiness lies in the fact that the misgivings have been corrected,” he said.

The former governor recalled reports alleging that he had been arrested over claims of forgery involving documents connected to the APC primary.

He said the court’s decision had helped address those allegations, insisting that he was wrongly accused.

“If you recall, this started in your station, Channels, that I was arrested for forgery with documents relating to the Imo West senatorial primaries, but the court has put that to rest today, saying that it’s not true,” Okorocha stated.

He blamed his political opponents for the controversy, alleging that they were responsible for the disputed documents.

“So, if there is anybody at fault, it’s the opponents that forged all the documents,” he said.

Okorocha also criticised what he described as the failure of investigative journalism to establish the facts surrounding the allegations before they circulated publicly.

He maintained that he had never been arrested by the Nigeria Police Force, dismissing reports suggesting otherwise.

“I wasn’t arrested and never was I arrested; this court victory today has put that to rest somehow,” he added.

The legal dispute followed the APC’s May 18, 2026, senatorial primary for Imo West, which produced conflicting claims over the winner.

While the party recognised Uzodimma as its candidate, Okorocha challenged the decision in court, insisting that he had secured the majority of votes cast during the exercise.

Uzodimma and the APC opposed the suit, arguing that it was filed outside the time limit prescribed by law. INEC also disputed aspects of the evidence presented by Okorocha.

However, Justice Egwuatu ruled in favour of the former governor and directed the party to submit his name to INEC.

The judgment has introduced fresh uncertainty into the APC’s preparations for the Imo West senatorial contest, with the possibility of further legal action remaining open to the affected parties.