The Imo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Youth Wing has declared its support for Governor Hope Uzodimma amid the continuing dispute over the party’s senatorial ticket for Imo West, also known as Orlu Zone.
The youth wing’s position comes after the Federal High Court in Abuja ruled on October 29 that former Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha won the APC’s senatorial primary for the district and ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise him as the party’s candidate for the 2027 election.
Addressing journalists in Owerri on Friday, October 30, the state APC Youth Leader, Comrade Franklin Kennedy Chukwuemeka Ibeh, rejected Okorocha’s claim to the ticket and maintained that the party’s youth and grassroots structures supported Uzodimma.
Ibeh argued that Okorocha did not participate in the senatorial primary and was absent from the mobilisation and electoral activities across Imo West.
He insisted that the party’s youth structures did not recognise the former governor as its authentic candidate, maintaining their support for Uzodimma despite the court’s decision.
The position reflects the political divisions surrounding a high-profile contest involving two influential figures in Imo State politics.
Court Rules in Okorocha’s Favour
The Federal High Court’s judgment has intensified the dispute over who should represent the APC in the Imo West senatorial election scheduled for January 16, 2027.
In its ruling, the court recognised Okorocha as the winner of the party’s primary and directed INEC to publish his name as the validly nominated candidate.
The judgment also ordered Uzodimma to stop presenting himself as the party’s candidate for the district.
The decision directly challenged the position previously maintained by the Imo APC leadership, which had insisted that Uzodimma won the primary and remained its candidate.
The state chapter’s position illustrates the tension between the party’s internal declarations and the court’s determination of the disputed nomination.
The youth wing’s rejection of Okorocha’s candidacy, as reported in its remarks, does not by itself overturn the court’s judgment.
Any further change to the legal position would have to emerge through the appropriate judicial process.
A Dispute With Wider Political Implications
The disagreement is significant because both Uzodimma and Okorocha have played prominent roles in the political development of Imo State.
Uzodimma is the incumbent governor, while Okorocha governed the state from 2011 to 2019 and previously represented Imo West in the Senate.
The dispute over the senatorial ticket therefore extends beyond a disagreement over party nomination. It also highlights the influence of competing political interests within the APC as preparations continue for the 2027 general election.
For the party, the controversy creates a challenge in maintaining internal cohesion while responding to a court ruling that conflicts with the candidate previously recognised by its state leadership.
The position taken by the youth wing may also indicate that the disagreement is not limited to senior political figures, with grassroots structures becoming involved in the contest.
What Happens Next?
The legal status of the APC’s candidate for Imo West remains central to the dispute.
While the youth wing has expressed support for Uzodimma, the Federal High Court’s ruling has recognised Okorocha as the winner of the primary and directed INEC to acknowledge his candidacy.
The party’s next steps, including any legal challenge and its response to the judgment, will be important in determining how the controversy develops.
The dispute also raises broader questions about internal party democracy, compliance with nomination procedures and the relationship between political party structures and judicial decisions.
With the senatorial election approaching, the APC will face pressure to resolve its internal divisions and clarify its position in accordance with the law.