The All Progressives Congress faces a fresh challenge over its candidate for the Imo West Senatorial District election in 2027, following a Federal High Court judgment recognising former governor Rochas Okorocha as the winner of the party’s primary.

In a ruling delivered on October 29 in Abuja, Justice Obiora Egwuatu held that Okorocha won the APC primary conducted on May 18, 2026. The court directed the party to submit his name to the Independent National Electoral Commission as its candidate for the January 16, 2027 election.

The judgment also barred Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma from presenting himself as the APC’s senatorial candidate for the district. The decision has placed the party’s candidate selection process under legal scrutiny as preparations for the election continue.

Amid the controversy, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has denied allegations that he influenced the outcome of the case. Speaking at a media parley in Port Harcourt on Thursday, he described attempts to connect him to the judgment as mischievous.

Wike’s denial followed the circulation of an old video showing him celebrating with Okorocha. Some social media users linked the footage to the court decision and alleged that the minister had worked behind the scenes to secure the ticket for the former governor. No evidence was provided in the account to establish that claim.

Although he denied involvement in the APC dispute, Wike acknowledged his disagreement with Uzodimma over the governor’s rainbow coalition initiative. He questioned the opposition to efforts aimed at supporting President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027.

The immediate issue for the APC is how it will respond to the court’s directive and resolve the dispute over its Imo West candidate. The ruling, rather than the allegations surrounding Wike, remains the central legal development in the contest, while the party’s next steps will determine how the matter proceeds ahead of the election.