Former Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha has urged Governor Hope Uzodimma to restrain his aides from attacking the judiciary over a Federal High Court judgment that declared him winner of the All Progressives Congress senatorial primary for Imo West.
Okorocha made the appeal on Tuesday at the Federal High Court premises in Abuja, where he said he had visited the court registry to sign documents relating to Uzodimma’s appeal against the ruling.
He criticised comments attributed to the governor’s Deputy Chief of Staff and the APC National Vice Chairman, who reportedly described the judgment as rubbish and procured.
“I want him to caution his attack dogs and his people to refrain from insulting judges. It doesn’t represent this nation well, and I feel particularly hurt,” Okorocha said.
He described the remarks as an attempt to intimidate the judiciary and argued that court decisions should not be accepted only when they favour a particular politician.
The former governor also maintained that the October 29 judgment should be respected, expressing confidence in the Nigerian judiciary and urging Uzodimma to pursue his challenge through the appellate process up to the Supreme Court.
In the ruling, Justice Obiora Egwuatu held that Okorocha secured the highest number of lawful votes in the APC’s May 18 senatorial primary for Imo West and was entitled to the party’s ticket for the 2027 elections.
The court consequently directed the APC to submit Okorocha’s name to the Independent National Electoral Commission as its candidate for the January 16, 2027 senatorial election.
Okorocha further noted that Uzodimma had benefited from favourable court judgments in the past, arguing that the judiciary should not be denigrated when its decisions go against a political interest.
Okorocha Urges Uzodimma to Rein in Aides Over APC Primary Judgment
