Imo APC: Okorocha faction loses out as court upholds Uzodinma’s candidacy

An Imo high court says Hope Uzodinma is the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2019 governorship election in the state.

The court, presided over by justice Kemakolam Ojiako, upheld the prayers of Eze Madumere, Imo deputy governor, and nullified the governorship primary held by governor Rochas Okorocha faction of Imo APC.

The judge granted the prayers of Madumere that the October 1 primary that produced Uzodinma was relevant and credible.

Ojiako also upheld a subsisting order by an Abuja high court restraining the party from conducting a fresh primary election.

Madumere had gone to court to seek the nullification of the primary election held by the governor’s faction.

Okorocha had backed Uche Nwosu, his son-in-law, to clinch the party’s ticket.

Speaking with Vanguard, Madumere said, “with today’s (yesterday) judgment, the foundation upon which Mr. Nwosu is defiantly parading himself as the governorship candidate of APC, Imo State, has been quashed”.

He added that “this has laid to rest, all Okorocha and son-in-law’s claims over who the standard bearer of the party is”.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had also listed Uzodinma as the APC candidate in Imo.