Hope Rising for Imolites Foundation Condemns Abuja Court Judgment on Imo West APC Senatorial Ticket, Warns of Grave Political Consequences
..Describes Ruling as Travesty of Justice, Threat to Party Unity and Democratic Principles
By Everest Ezihe, Owerri
Hope Rising for Imolites Foundation has strongly condemned the reported last Tuesday’s judgment of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, presided over by Justice Obiora Egwuatu, concerning the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial primary conducted on May 18, 2026, for the Imo West Senatorial District ahead of the January 16, 2027 general elections.
The Foundation in a press statement dated Saturday 31st October 2026 endorsed by Barr. Success Obioma Akagburuonye, the founder and National Coordinator of the non governmental sociopolitical organization described the judgment, which reportedly declared former Imo State Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, as the winner of the primary and the APC candidate for Imo West, as a grave miscarriage of democratic expectations, a travesty of justice and a development capable of plunging the APC in Imo State and the entire South- East geopolitical zone into an avoidable political crisis.
According to Akagburuonye also known as Akaraugo Ndigbo and 2027 Imo State governorship hopeful, “in all honesty, our Foundation finds it deeply troubling that, Governor Hope Uzodimma, a sitting governor and one of the most influential pillars of the APC in the South- East, could reportedly be denied victory in the said primary, even when reports of the same primary monitored by the party electoral team from Abuja and South East, the State Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies and other relevant stakeholders reported and said otherwise.
”While we recognise the constitutional authority and independence of the judiciary, we insist that every judgment with far-reaching political consequences must be subjected to rigorous public scrutiny, particularly where questions arise concerning the credibility of a primary election, the evidence presented before the court and the democratic rights of party stakeholders” he advised.
The Foundation pointed out the need for APC national leadership to urgently examine the implications of this development and pursue every lawful avenue available to protect the party’s unity, electoral credibility and political future in Imo State and Southeast region at large.
They equally urged the national leadership of the APC, well-meaning Imolites and, most especially, the people of Imo West Senatorial District to reflect on the historical political warning issued by former President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, GCON during the 2015 governorship election in Imo State.
The foundation revealed that at the time, Obasanjo reportedly compared the then incumbent Governor, Chief Godson Ikedi Ohakim, who was seeking re-election on the political platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), with Owelle Rochas Okorocha, the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).
”In that comparison, Obasanjo was widely quoted as saying: “Ohakim is a smaller thief compared with Okorocha.”
The Foundation passionately advised on the need of not substituting the controversial historical remark to political rhetoric for the rule of law, but to remind Imolites of the importance of examining political antecedents, governance records and the long-term consequences of their political choices.
”The experience of the Okorocha Rescue Mission administration, particularly the controversies that surrounded its governance, public assets and institutional legacy, remains an important part of Imo State’s political history.
”We therefore advise the people of Imo West against allowing present political calculations to overshadow the lessons of the past.
”Political parties must be guided by credible democratic processes, the interests of their members and the welfare of the people they seek to represent”.
The Foundation also observed that beyond the immediate legal dispute, the Foundation is deeply concerned about the potentially devastating political consequences of implementing the reported judgment without adequately addressing the concerns it has generated among APC stakeholders in the State, region and Nigeria at large.
”Obviously, Governor Hope Uzodimma remains a significant political force in Imo State and a major pillar of the APC in the South- East and Nigeria at large. His political structure, influence and contributions to the party’s fortunes cannot be dismissed or treated as inconsequential in any calculation concerning the party’s both present and future antecedents.
”Any action perceived by party faithful as an attempt to undermine the governor’s political standing could trigger serious internal divisions, weaken the confidence of loyal members and create an opening for opposition parties ahead of the 2027 general elections” they envisaged.
The Foundation further advised that, “it’s imperatively important for APC not to sacrifice party cohesion on the altar of a politically consequential dispute that threatens to alienate key stakeholders and destabilise its established political structures.
”We certainly warn that the implementation of the reported judgment, will certainly led to widespread dissatisfaction among the party’s supporters, could precipitate defections, deepen factional divisions and weaken the APC’s electoral prospects in Imo State and across the Southeast.
”The Foundation is particularly concerned that a party which has invested considerable political capital in consolidating its presence in the region could inadvertently undermine its own achievements through decisions that leave influential stakeholders feeling marginalised.
”The APC leadership must understand that political strength is sustained by fairness, consultation, internal democracy and respect for the legitimate interests of party members. No political organisation can remain strong when its internal disputes are allowed to erode the confidence of its stakeholders”.
Hope Rising for Imolites Foundation consequently called on the national leadership of the APC to act swiftly, responsibly and transparently in addressing the implications of this development, in the overall interest of the party and her various stakeholders.
They enjoined the party’s leadership, to prevent an avoidable party crisis by engaging Governor Hope Uzodimma, former Governor Rochas Okorocha and other relevant stakeholders to reduce tensions and prevent the dispute from degenerating into a destructive political confrontation, most especially now that the 2027 election campaigns are ongoing.
According to the Foundation, “APC national leadership should as a matter of exigency safeguard the APC’s South -East political base, by recognising the fact that the party’s fortunes in Imo State are closely connected to the strength of its leadership, the confidence of its members and the preservation of political unity.
”They should equally as a matter of importance put Imo people’s interests first, by ensuring that the dispute does not distract the party from addressing governance, development, security and the welfare of the people.
*We also call on the people of Imo West Senatorial District to remain vigilant, peaceful and guided by the long-term interests of their communities. Political differences must not be allowed to degenerate into hostility, intimidation or violence”.
They insisted that Governor Hope Uzodimma’s contributions to the APC’s political fortunes in the region must be recognised in any serious assessment of the party’s future.
”The APC leadership must therefore demonstrate the wisdom and courage required to prevent this controversy from becoming a catalyst for political fragmentation”.
They reiterated that Imolites have witnessed the consequences of political decisions in the past. They deserve a political environment in which justice is not merely pronounced but is also trusted, democratic processes are respected, and the interests of the people take precedence over personal ambitions.
Hope Rising for Imolites Foundation will continue to advocate responsible leadership, democratic accountability, political stability and the protection of the collective interests of the people of Imo State.
They patriotically advised APC to always tread carefully, noting that a party that alienates its critical pillars risks weakening its own foundation. “Imo State and the South -East region deserve better than an avoidable political crisis” they also passionately advised.
