APC primary: Uzodimma, Okorocha camps split over court ruling

The Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodimma

Supporters of Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, and those of a former governor of the state, Rochas Okorocha, have taken their rivalry to social media, trading accusations over who should fly the All Progressives Congress ticket for Imo West Senatorial District in the upcoming election.

The development followed Thursday’s judgment of the Federal High Court in Abuja, which nullified Uzodimma’s emergence as the APC candidate and declared Okorocha the winner of the party’s May 18 senatorial primary.

While Uzodimma’s camp described the judgment as a “travesty of justice”, Okorocha’s camp commended the court, describing it as the last hope of the common man.

The Senior Special Assistant to Uzodinma on Electronic and Creative Media, Ambrose Nwaogwugwu, who spoke with The PUNCH on Saturday, called for a review of the court order.

Another supporter of the governor, Ndubuisi Ifedoro, warned that the judgment could cost the APC the senatorial seat.

He said he would not support Okorocha if he eventually contests the election.

“I am very sure that my people will not vote for him. It is better for me to waste my vote than to give it to the former governor. We don’t reward failure! He does not deserve my vote.”

“If Governor Hope Uzodimma is not on the ballot for the Imo West Senatorial election, we will shift our support to any other candidate who will listen to us and solve our basic problems. Our votes must be earned, not demanded,” he said.

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In a statement on Saturday, the spokesperson for the Forum of Senior Special Advisers to LGs, Unegbu Onyedikachi, called on the National Judicial Council to investigate Justice Obiora Egwuatu following comments made by Okorocha during an interview on Channels Television.

Onyedikachi claimed Okorocha alleged during the broadcast that powerful forces helped him secure the judgment, prompting the call for the NJC and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission to intervene.

However, a supporter of Okorocha, Pascal Oguguo, described the ruling as a reward for the former governor’s loyalty to the APC and President Bola Tinubu.

Oguguo said Okorocha took a political risk as an Igbo man to build the APC in the South-East, adding that he remained passionate about national unity.

Similarly, a former student union official at Imo State University, Ezinne Precious, insisted Okorocha deserved the APC senatorial ticket.

“Rochas was among those who embraced and strengthened the APC in the South-East at a time when many people in the region did not believe in the party or consider it a viable political platform. He took the party to the people, gave it a voice and contributed significantly to its acceptance and growth in the region.”

“I strongly believe that people who made sacrifices and took political risks when the journey was uncertain should not be forgotten when opportunities and rewards come.”

“Furthermore, from the indications surrounding the party’s primary process, Owelle [Okorocha] contested and emerged victorious. This makes the question of internal democracy, fairness and respect for the outcome of the primary particularly important,” she said.