The leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the South East Zone firmly and unequivocally affirms that His Excellency, Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodinma, CON, remains the authentic, duly nominated and validly elected candidate of our great party for the Imo West Senatorial District in the 2027 general elections.
The APC Direct Primary Election for Imo West Senatorial District was conducted on 18th May 2026 in strict accordance with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Electoral Act, the Constitution of the All Progressives Congress, and the guidelines issued by the National Working Committee.
The direct primary election was conducted with option A4 where all registered party members across all wards stood behind the picture of the aspairants and the election was won by Senator Hope Uzodinma with the clear, overwhelming and documented support of the majority of our party members and accredited delegates. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) duly monitored the primary.
The Party’s Appeal Committee subsequently reviewed the process and upheld the outcome. Thereafter, the name of Senator Hope Uzodinma was duly submitted to, and published by, INEC as the APC candidate for Imo West.
The recent judgment of the Federal High Court, Abuja, purporting to set aside this valid nomination and directing the substitution of another name, is noted with respect. We, however, firmly dismiss the ruling as one that does not reflect the true outcome of the primary election as conducted, monitored, documented and affirmed by the relevant organs of the party. The process was transparent, free and fair. The will of the majority of APC members and delegates in Imo West was clearly expressed in favour of Senator Hope Uzodinma and cannot be lightly set aside.
It is settled law that the selection and nomination of candidates for election are internal affairs of a political party over which the courts have no jurisdiction. In the locus classicus case of Onuoha v. Okafor (1983) 2 SCNLR 244, the Supreme Court held that the issue of who should be a candidate of a given political party at any election is clearly a political one, to be determined by the rules and constitution of the said party. It is thus a domestic issue and not such as would be justiciable in a court of law.
This position was reaffirmed in Dalhatu v. Turaki (2003) 15 NWLR (Pt. 843) 310, where the apex court emphasized that the right to sponsor a candidate is a domestic affair of the party and no court can question the exercise of that discretion.
Furthermore, Section 83(5) of the Electoral Act 2026 expressly provides that no court in Nigeria shall entertain jurisdiction over any suit or matter about the internal affairs of a political party.
The Supreme Court has consistently maintained this principle in recent decisions, including Uba v. Ozigbo (2021) and Anyanwu v. Emmanuel (2025), holding that questions concerning the nomination and sponsorship of candidates, as well as leadership and membership issues, fall squarely within the domestic domain of political parties and are ordinarily non-justiciable.
As a party firmly committed to the rule of law and constitutional democracy, the All Progressives Congress will exercise its full rights of appeal and pursue all available judicial remedies to protect the integrity of its internal democratic processes and the mandate freely given by its members.
The judgment is being carefully studied by our legal team, and necessary steps will be taken without delay to challenge it before the appropriate appellate court.
In the meantime, we reiterate without equivocation or ambiguity that Senator Hope Uzodinma continues to be the candidate of the All Progressives Congress for the Imo West Senatorial District. No individual or interest group will be allowed to hijack or subvert the clear will of the majority of our party members.
We urge all party members, supporters, stakeholders and the good people of Imo West (Orlu Zone) to remain calm, law-abiding, united and focused. The South East leadership of the APC stands solidly behind our candidate.
We shall continue to mobilise vigorously for the resounding victory of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and all APC candidates across the South East and the entire nation in the 2027 general elections.
The progress of our party and our zone will not be derailed by distractions. Victory is certain.
Signed:
Dr. Ijeomah Arodiogbu MBBS, Phd,
National Vice Chairman (South East), All Progressives Congress
APC Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) South East Zonal Coordinator
