Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, has vowed not to relinquish his senatorial ambition ahead of the 2027 general elections, dismissing suggestions that he would surrender his ticket to former governor Rochas Okorocha as false.

Uzodimma declared that he remained the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Imo West Senatorial District despite a Federal High Court judgment directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to replace his name with that of Okorocha.

The court, sitting in Abuja on October 29, 2026, ordered INEC to remove Uzodimma from the list of candidates for Imo West and substitute his name with Okorocha's.

Justice Obiora Egwuatu based the ruling on the grounds that Uzodimma did not win the APC senatorial primary election conducted on May 18.

However, the APC in Imo State has rejected the judgment, maintaining that Uzodimma remains its candidate for the senatorial district.

Speaking on Sunday after attending Mass at the Government House Chapel in Owerri, the state capital, the governor dismissed reports that he would hand over his ticket to another aspirant.

“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,” he said.

The governor also urged Imo residents to support the APC and its candidates across all elective positions in the forthcoming elections.

“Go and campaign for the party, our great party, the All Progressives Congress, APC. There is no other political party we are going with.

“For the House of Assembly, it is APC. For the House of Representatives, it is APC,” he stated.

On the senatorial contests, Uzodimma identified Patrick Ndubueze as the APC candidate for Okigwe Zone, himself for Orlu Zone and Alex Mbata for Owerri Zone.

“For the Senate, your senator in Okigwe Zone is Patrick Ndubueze, in Orlu Zone it is my humble self (Hope Uzodimma), and in Owerri Zone it is (Alex) Mbata,” he added.

Meanwhile, Okorocha had welcomed the court judgment, describing it as a landmark victory for the judiciary, democracy and the people of Imo State.

In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media, Sam Onwuemodo, the former governor commended President Bola Tinubu for providing an enabling environment for the judiciary and other institutions to function effectively.

Okorocha said the judgment reaffirmed the authority of the Constitution and represented a victory for justice and democratic principles.

“This judgment, to say the least, is a resounding victory for the nation's judiciary. It is a victory for the nation's fast-growing democracy. It is an outstanding victory for the nation's Constitution, as amended,” he said.

He further described the ruling as a victory for those who stand for justice and a significant development that would remain part of the nation's political history.

“Finally, it is a victory for Imo people in general, and Imo West Senatorial District people in particular,” Okorocha added.

The development has intensified the political contest between Uzodimma and Okorocha over the APC senatorial ticket for Imo West ahead of the 2027 general elections.