Judgment Affirming Me As APC Senatorial Candidate Is Victory For Democracy – Okorocha

Former Governor of Imo State, Senator Rochas Okorocha has described the judgment of the Federal High Court Abuja which declared him as the lawful winner of the primary, as a resounding victory for the nation’s judiciary and the Nation’s constitution.

Special Adviser on Media to Okorocha, Sam Onwuemodo made the disclosure in a statement made available to newsmen on Thursday in Owerri, the Imo State capital.

Okorocha had dragged the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State, and some others to court seeking a declaration that he is the authentic candidate of the party for lmo West Senatorial District.

The APC had declared Uzodimma as the winner of the Senate primaries which Okorocha challenged at the federal high court.

Further, he asked the court to adjudicate on “whether it’s constitutional for Governor Uzodimma contesting the 2027 election to go to the Senate, another paid office, when his tenure as an elected Executive Governor of lmo State, would elapse in January 2028”, adding that the court has said, it’s wrong.

The former Governor thanked President Bola Tinubu for “providing the enabling environment for the Judiciary and other lnstitutions to function for the nation’s rapid development and growth.

Okorocha thanked the “leadership of the All Progressives Congress, APC, for having exceptional regard and respect for members of the party, to pursue their legitimate goals and Constitutional rights, unhindered.

Further, he thanked Imo people especially from Imo West senatorial district for their prayers, moral and emotional supports, and the spontaneous jubilation over the court verdict, adding that he won’t take the jubilation and excitement, for granted.

Okorocha specifically commended Governor Uzodimma for “being part of this historic judgement as one of the respondents in the matter”. He also expressed gratitude to God Almighty for the victory.

The former Governor said “this judgement, to say the least, is a resounding victory for the nation’s judiciary. It’s a victory for the nation’s fast growing democracy. It is an outstanding victory for the nation’s constitution, as amended. It is a remarkable victory for all lovers of what is right and haters of what is wrong. It is a notable victory for posterity and history. Finally, it is a victory for lmo people in general, and lmo West Senatorial District people in particular”.

However, the Imo State chapter of the APC has said irrespective of the court verdict, Uzodimma remains the authentic candidate of the APC for Imo West senatorial district.

Imo APC Publicity Secretary, Dr Jones Onwuasoanya in a statement described the development as unverified saying “All Progressives Congress is aware of some unverified reports making the rounds across many social media platforms and being circulated by renowned opposition figures about a purported change in the candidacy of our Party for Imo West Senatorial District”.

Onwuasoanya said the Uzodimma remains the valid candidate of the party. He said the Party wishes to state without any confusion that Uzodimma, remained the candidate for Imo West senatorial district, having won the primaries with the overwhelming support of the majority of party members.

He said “the Party’s legal department shall study the outcome of a legal intervention in this matter and act accordingly.

“We urge our teeming Party members and supporters of our great Party to remain focused and undistracted and remain committed to working assiduously for the victory of our Party across all constituencies in the State”, the statement read.

Meanwhile, the news has elicited reactions from people while some say it is a battle between two influential people that will be settled somehow.