Former Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha has expressed confidence that President Bola Tinubu will secure Imo State in the 2027 presidential election if he emerges as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Imo West Senatorial District.
Okorocha made the statement hours after a Federal Capital Territory High Court ruled in his favour in the legal dispute over the APC senatorial ticket for Imo West.
The former governor is embroiled in a political and legal battle with his successor, Governor Hope Uzodimma, over the party’s ticket, with both politicians claiming victory in the APC primary election.
Despite the dispute, the APC submitted Uzodimma’s name to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as its candidate, prompting Okorocha to challenge the decision in court.
However, the court ruled on Thursday that Okorocha secured the majority of votes cast in the primary and should be declared the winner.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Okorocha said his appearance on the ballot would strengthen Tinubu’s chances in Imo State.
“What is important to me now is how Asiwaju will be elected in Imo State. With this, my name coming on the ballot paper now, Asiwaju can be sure that his victory is given in Imo State,” he said.
Okorocha Advocates Strategic Support For Tinubu
The former governor also urged people in the South-East to approach the 2027 presidential election with political strategy rather than emotions.
According to him, supporting Tinubu would represent a strategic alliance that could improve the South-East’s political prospects in the future.
“As Southeasterners, we are not going to politics now with emotions; we have to go to politics with strategy. So, supporting Tinubu for Ndigbo is a strategic alliance,” Okorocha said.
He added that the South-East should avoid what he described as gambling with another four years, insisting that the region should position itself properly for future presidential opportunities.
“We cannot afford to gamble for four years. Any time Nigerians think it is the time for Ndigbo to be president, we should be proper presidents,” he stated.
Okorocha further said he would work more effectively with other South-East governors to mobilise support for Tinubu if he were appointed to coordinate the President’s campaign in Imo State.
He also welcomed the court ruling, declaring that the judiciary was not for sale.
The former governor claimed that Uzodimma had “met his Waterloo”, alleging that the court had pronounced that his documents were forged.
The legal dispute over the Imo West senatorial ticket remains a significant development within the APC as political activities gather momentum ahead of the 2027 general elections.
