By Ugokwe Chuks
The Coalition of Lawyers for Justice and Equity has condemned the Federal High Court judgment nullifying Governor Hope Uzodinma’s nomination as the APC candidate for Imo West Senatorial District, describing it as a miscarriage of justice.
The group called on the Court of Appeal to urgently overturn the judgment delivered on October 29, 2026, by Justice Obiora Egwuatu in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1854/2026.
The court had nullified Uzodinma’s nomination, declared former Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha the winner of the APC senatorial primary and directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise him as the party’s candidate for the January 2027 election.
In a statement issued in Abuja and signed by its Convener, Barrister Chukwuma Okorie, the Coalition argued that Okorocha’s suit was filed outside the constitutional 14-day period for pre-election matters.
It noted that the APC primary was conducted on May 18, 2026, while Okorocha instituted the suit on August 13, 87 days later, contrary to Section 285(9) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.
The lawyers cited Supreme Court decisions, including Garba v. APC (2020) and Zailani v. Gumau (2019), arguing that failure to comply with the constitutional filing period deprives a court of jurisdiction.
The Coalition also faulted the use of Originating Summons, arguing that the case involved disputed election documents and allegations of forgery and perjury, which, in its view, required a full trial through a Writ of Summons.
It maintained that such contentious issues should not have been determined solely on affidavit evidence.
The group urged the Court of Appeal to expedite hearing of the anticipated appeal, reaffirm the constitutional time limit for pre-election disputes and set aside the Federal High Court judgment.
It noted that its intervention was not politically motivated but aimed at protecting judicial integrity, constitutional compliance and public confidence in the legal system.
The Imo State Government and the APC state chapter have also rejected the ruling, insisting that Uzodinma remains the party’s authentic candidate. The state government has indicated that it will challenge the decision on appeal.
The Coalition warned that failure to correct what it described as a serious judicial error could undermine the rule of law and the credibility of the electoral process.
Tags: Imo West Senatorial District, Hope Uzodinma, Rochas Okorocha, APC, 2027 Elections
