Imo West ruling could cost Tinubu South-East votes, APC group warns.
By Omeiza Ajayi ABUJA — A pro-Tinubu group, Renewed Hope Foot Soldiers for Tinubu (RHFST), has warned that the Federal High Court’s ruling recognising Rochas Okorocha as the duly elected All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Imo West Senatorial District could heighten political tensions in the South-East and undermine President Bola Tinubu’s support ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Gbenga Owojori, who raised the concern in a statement issued on Saturday in Abuja, said the dispute had implications beyond the senatorial constituency, particularly for the political calculations surrounding the Senate presidency.
“The dispute over the Imo West ticket has consequences beyond the constituency.
It has altered the political calculations surrounding the Senate presidency and raised concern that a leading South-East contender could be shut out of the contest before the next Senate is constituted,” the group said. It argued that Governor Hope Uzodimma, a former senator, should be allowed to pursue his political ambitions in accordance with established rules. According to the group, Uzodimma’s supporters consider him a credible contender for the Senate presidency, with backing from political leaders across party lines. The group also drew attention to allegations by critics that Senate President Godswill Akpabio had an interest in preventing Uzodimma from emerging as a potential rival, while former Rivers State Governor and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, was allegedly involved in efforts to pursue a legal challenge against the Imo governor.
MSEApp News is publishing an original rewrite of this tip for readers, based on reporting associated with Vanguard.