Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, has dismissed speculation that he could lose the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial ticket for Imo West, insisting that no one would take the ticket away from him.
Uzodimma made the remarks on Sunday after attending a Mass at the Government House Chapel in Owerri, where he urged residents to support the APC in the forthcoming elections.
“If they tell you that I will hold this ticket and somebody will collect it and give it to another, tell the person it is a lie,” the governor said.
He also declared that his political camp would remain within the APC, ruling out an alliance with another political party.
“Go and campaign for the party, our great party, the All Progressives Congress (APC). There is no other political party we are going with,” he stated.
The governor further listed the APC candidates he expects to represent the party across the state’s legislative constituencies. He named Patrick Ndubueze as the party’s senatorial candidate for Okigwe Zone, himself for Orlu Zone, and Alex Mbata for Owerri Zone.
His comments come amid a legal dispute over the APC senatorial ticket for Imo West.
A Federal High Court in Abuja recently directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to remove Uzodimma’s name as the APC candidate for the district and replace it with that of former Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha.
Justice Obiora Egwuatu, who presided over the case, ruled that Okorocha won the party’s senatorial primary conducted on May 18, having secured the majority of votes.
The court faulted INEC’s recognition of Uzodimma’s nomination, citing what it described as overwhelming documentary evidence that the governor did not win the primary.
Okorocha, who governed Imo State from 2011 to 2019, had instituted the suit in August, challenging INEC’s recognition of Uzodimma as the party’s candidate.
Reacting to the judgment, Okorocha described the ruling as a victory for the people of Imo West. He also expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu, alleging that the presidency was no longer supporting the situation in Imo State.
The former governor further commended the judiciary, saying the decision demonstrated that justice was no longer determined by the highest bidder.
The dispute over the party’s senatorial ticket has therefore placed the political positions of both men at the centre of attention ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Enitan Mudashiru
