Former Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha has warned his successor, Hope Uzodimma, against attacks on judges following a court judgment that recognised him as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the 2027 Imo West Senatorial election.
Okorocha urged Uzodimma to pursue an appeal if he disagreed with the ruling rather than allowing his aides and supporters to attack the judiciary.
He spoke at the Federal High Court premises in Abuja after signing processes at the court registry in connection with the ongoing dispute over the party’s senatorial ticket.
The former governor expressed concern over comments allegedly made by Uzodimma’s aides, who reportedly described the judgment as rubbish and accused the judge of being compromised.
He said, “I think this is very uncivilised. 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 argued that Uzodimma should exercise his right of appeal, including approaching the Supreme Court, instead of attacking the judge.
“At least the Supreme Court is there,” he said, adding that the governor should allow the legal process to take its course.
He also challenged Uzodimma to publicly dispute his claims if he believed the judgment was wrong.
“Why is he hiding and using attack dogs here and there to attack judges? That is very bad, and that shows what it means,” Okorocha said.
The former governor further accused Uzodimma of allegedly presenting forged documents during the court proceedings, citing what he described as inconsistencies in documents certified by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
He, however, expressed confidence that he would prevail if the matter proceeded to the appellate court.
Okorocha also praised the judiciary for its handling of the case, saying, “I salute the Nigerian Judiciary, honestly. Whatever you might say, they’re still very good. And I believe that the right thing should be done.”
The Federal High Court in Abuja had, on October 29, nullified Uzodimma’s emergence as the APC candidate for the Imo West Senatorial District election scheduled for January 16, 2027.
Justice Obiora Egwuatu held that evidence before the court showed that Okorocha secured the highest number of votes in the party’s senatorial primary conducted on May 18.
The court consequently ordered INEC to recognise Okorocha and publish his name as the APC’s authentic candidate for the election. It also barred Uzodimma from presenting himself as the party’s candidate for the poll.
