Former Governor of Imo State, Senator Rochas Okorocha, has called on his successor, Governor Hope Uzodimma, and his aides to desist from unleashing unwarranted verbal attacks on the Nigerian Judiciary following a court judgment declaring Okorocha the authentic All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the 2027 Imo West Senatorial election. ​
Speaking to newsmen on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, at the premises of the Federal High Court in Abuja after filing legal processes at the court registry, Okorocha expressed disgust over public comments made by key allies and officials of the Imo State government. ​He specifically condemned remarks attributed to Governor Uzodimma’s aides, including his Deputy Chief of Staff and the APC National Vice Chairman, who allegedly described the ruling by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik as “rubbish” and “procured”. ​
“I listened to the news yesterday and it was so horrible, so terrible, that Governor Hope’s aides… could berate a judge, insult a judge,” Okorocha stated. “To use his words, he said the judgment was rubbish and procured, and that the judge should go and look at himself in the mirror. I think that is terrible… Stop insulting judges. Pursue your appeal and stop your attack dogs from insulting everybody and insulting the Judiciary.” ​
The ongoing legal tussle stems from an October 2026 judgment delivered by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court, Abuja. The court nullified Governor Uzodimma’s senatorial candidacy after finding inconsistencies and irregularities in the primary election documents submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), declaring Okorocha as the validly nominated APC candidate for Imo West. ​
Reacting to threats of an appeal by the governor’s camp, Okorocha advised Uzodimma to exercise his constitutional right by taking the matter to the Court of Appeal and up to the Supreme Court instead of engaging in media assaults against the bench. He reaffirmed his confidence in the Nigerian judicial system, praising judges for remaining steadfast despite pressure.
