Okorocha, Uzodimma’s Imo West Battle Gets Messier  

The political temperature in Imo State appears to be rising, with former governor of the state and erstwhile senator, Rochas Okorocha, locking horns with his successor, Governor Hope Uzodimma, over the coveted Imo West Senatorial District seat.

What began as political rivalry has now assumed a legal dimension, as Okorocha heads to court to challenge Uzodimma’s ambition to represent Imo West in the Senate while still serving as governor.

In an affidavit attached to a suit filed before the Federal High Court in Abuja, Okorocha contends that Uzodimma’s tenure as governor does not expire until midnight on January 14, 2028. According to him, Uzodimma took the oath of office for his second term on January 15, 2024, and therefore remains constitutionally bound to complete his tenure.

The former governor’s argument hinges on the timing of the 2027 general election and the inauguration of the next Senate. He maintains that Uzodimma’s tenure would still be subsisting when the new National Assembly is inaugurated in 2027.

Okorocha alleges that the governor purchased an expression of interest and nomination forms, and proceeded to seek the APC ticket for Imo West.

The development has added another intriguing chapter to the political history of Imo State, where the relationship between the two political heavyweights has been anything but cordial.

For Okorocha, the dispute appears to be about more than a senatorial ticket. Imo West, which he once represented in the Senate, remains an important part of his political base and influence. His decision to challenge Uzodimma’s candidacy has therefore been interpreted by political watchers as an attempt to reclaim both political space and relevance ahead of the 2027 elections.

For Uzodimma, the proposed move to the Senate could represent a carefully calculated next step in his political career after his tenure as governor. But with the former governor challenging the legality of that ambition, the road ahead may prove considerably more complicated.