The South-East Youths Stakeholders Forum has congratulated former Imo State Governor, Senator Rochas Okorocha, following a Federal High Court judgment declaring him the winner of the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial primary for Imo West Senatorial District ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The forum also urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to immediately comply with the court’s directives and take the necessary steps to recognise Okorocha as the party’s candidate.
The judgment was delivered on Thursday by Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, who ordered the incumbent Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, to stop presenting himself as the APC candidate for the senatorial election scheduled for January 16, 2027.
Justice Egwuatu held that the evidence presented before the court established that Okorocha secured the majority of votes cast during the APC senatorial primary conducted on May 18, 2026, which was monitored by INEC.
The court consequently directed the APC to forward Okorocha’s name to the electoral commission as its candidate for the Imo West Senatorial District election.
The ruling followed a legal challenge by Okorocha against Uzodimma’s recognition as the party’s candidate.
INEC’s previously reported official results had listed Uzodimma as the winner of the primary, a position Okorocha contested in court.
Reacting to the judgment, the South-East Youths Stakeholders Forum described the development as significant, expressing confidence that the rule of law must prevail in the resolution of political disputes.
In a press statement made available to newsmen, the Chairman of the forum’s Imo State chapter, Comrade Ifeanyi Nwosu, said respect for judicial decisions remained fundamental to democracy, justice, peace and political stability.
The forum called on INEC to take all necessary steps to implement the court’s decision in accordance with the judgment and applicable laws.
It also appealed to Uzodimma and his supporters to respect the ruling, embrace reconciliation and work towards a united APC ahead of the 2027 general elections.
According to the forum, unity, mutual understanding and collective commitment among party leaders and stakeholders are essential to strengthening the APC and advancing its electoral objectives.
The group further reaffirmed its commitment to mobilising youths across the South-East in support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and APC candidates in future elections.
It urged party leaders and stakeholders in Imo State to put aside their differences and work together in the interest of the party.
