Okorocha Sues INEC, APC Over Imo West Senatorial District Dispute

Former Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha has initiated legal action against Nigeria's Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the All Progressives Congress (APC). The lawsuit challenges INEC's publication of current Governor Hope Uzodimma as the candidate for the 2027 Imo West Senatorial District election. Okorocha contends that he won the APC primary election held on May 18 for the nomination. The originating summons, filed on August 13, presents five questions for the court to determine. Central to Okorocha's claim is whether INEC is bound by the reports of its officers who monitored the APC primaries. He also questions the legality of INEC publishing Uzodimma's name on August 1 as the winner, given that the primary election allegedly occurred on May 18 and he was the victor. Okorocha is seeking ten reliefs should the court rule in his favor. He wants a declaration that INEC's publication of Uzodimma's name was unconstitutional. Furthermore, he seeks an order to void INEC's August 1 publication and an order directing INEC to recognize and publish his name as the duly nominated APC candidate. He also aims to prohibit Uzodimma from presenting himself as the party's candidate and requests costs against the respondents.