Wike denies involvement in court judgment favouring Okorocha over Uzodimma
by Ganiyu Mubarak · The Eagle OnlineThe Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has denied having any involvement in the Federal High Court judgment that recognised former Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Imo West Senatorial District in the 2027 general election.
Wike dismissed suggestions linking him to the ruling, insisting that he neither instituted the case nor participated in the court proceedings.
The minister spoke during a live media chat on Thursday while responding to questions about the judgment delivered on October 29.
“First of all, anybody calling my name is being mischievous. I didn’t go to court. I’m not in APC. I don’t know what the issue is,” he said.
The FCT minister also reacted to reports that Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma had warned against the promotion of the proposed Rainbow Coalition in the state a day before the judgment.
Uzodimma reportedly threatened to seize the vehicles of anyone promoting the political arrangement in Imo State.
Wike described the alleged threat as uncivilised, saying:
“They were saying that because a day before that judgment was given, he had openly warned people that, ‘No Rainbow Coalition here. If I see… I’ll collect the vehicle for you.’ Very, very uncivilised.”
The minister also dismissed suggestions that a video showing him dancing with Okorocha was evidence of a political relationship connected to the court ruling.
He explained that the footage was recorded when he hosted the former governor while he was still in office.
“Now they showed the video where Rochas and I danced when I hosted him when he was governor. So that was that dance,” Wike said.
The controversy followed a Federal High Court judgment in Abuja, which nullified Uzodimma’s recognition as the APC candidate for Imo West Senatorial District and ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise Okorocha.
Justice Obiora Egwuatu ruled that Okorocha, rather than Uzodimma, won the party’s senatorial primary conducted on May 18, 2026, and directed INEC to publish the former governor’s name as the party’s candidate.
The judgment followed a suit filed by Okorocha challenging INEC’s recognition of Uzodimma as the winner of the primary.
However, the Imo State chapter of the APC disputed the ruling, while Uzodimma indicated plans to appeal.
Speculation about Wike’s possible involvement was also fuelled by his political disagreement with Uzodimma over the proposed Rainbow Coalition, an arrangement aimed at mobilising support across party lines for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.
Also Read:
- NYSC members’ kidnap: Two defendants deny involvement in court
- Wike denies involvement in court judgment favouring Okorocha over Uzodimma
- US envoy hails Ronaldo as ‘remarkable ambassador’ for Portugal
- Traffickers now target gym users, lure job seekers with fake offers — NAPTIP
- 2027: Atiku reacts to court ruling voiding his candidacy, says its ‘panic sign from Tinubu, APC’
The coalition seeks to bring politicians from different political parties together to support Tinubu without necessarily abandoning their parties or backing APC candidates in other elections.
Wike, who remains a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has maintained that his support for Tinubu does not prevent the opposition party from fielding candidates for governorship and legislative elections.
On October 29, Okorocha praised Wike’s Rainbow Coalition initiative during an interview with Channels Television’s Politics Today and announced plans to establish a similar alliance in Imo State.
The former governor said he intended to bring members of the PDP and other political groups together to support Tinubu’s re-election bid.
Speaking on Thursday, Wike defended the arrangement, arguing that politicians could support the same presidential candidate while maintaining different political interests in governorship and legislative contests.
He insisted that securing Tinubu’s re-election remained his priority.
“In any case, we are supporting Mr President, for Christ’s sake.
“Your business is to make sure, first things is, Mr President wins the election.
“As it is today, anybody who talks about the priority… should be that Mr President wins the election. That’s my priority,” he said.
[wpadcenter_ad id='745970' align='none']