A political encounter between Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, and his predecessor, Rochas Okorocha, has generated reactions following their exchange at an All Progressives Congress (APC) gathering.
The interaction, which was recorded in a video now spreading across social media platforms, occurred against the backdrop of the disagreement between the two politicians over the APC’s senatorial nomination for Imo West.
The incident reportedly happened when Okorocha attempted to draw the governor’s attention after apparently observing that he had not been acknowledged.
Addressing Uzodimma, the former governor asked whether he had failed to notice him at the event.
“Governor Hope, didn’t you see me?” Okorocha was heard saying.
The governor responded by describing his predecessor as a “small boy” before both men exchanged handshakes and greetings.
Their brief conversation attracted laughter from people around them, although the exchange has drawn additional attention because of the strained political relationship between the former allies.
The development comes amid a legal tussle over the APC’s representation in the Imo West Senatorial District ahead of the January 16, 2027 election.
In a related development, the Federal High Court in Abuja recently ruled in favour of Okorocha in the dispute surrounding the party’s senatorial primary, overturning Uzodimma’s recognition as the APC candidate.
Justice Obiora Egwuatu, who delivered the judgment on October 29, 2026, directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise Okorocha as the party’s flagbearer for the forthcoming election.
The court reached its decision after determining that the former governor obtained the highest number of valid votes in the APC primary held on May 18, 2026.
Following the verdict, the judge ordered the ruling party to transmit Okorocha’s name to INEC for the senatorial contest.
The court equally barred Uzodimma from further parading himself as the APC’s nominee for the constituency.
Okorocha had approached the court to challenge the outcome of the party’s primary, disputing the results and questioning the process that produced Uzodimma as the preferred candidate.
However, the governor’s camp has refused to accept the court’s position, maintaining that Uzodimma legitimately secured the party’s ticket.
APC officials in Imo State have also stood by the governor, arguing that he emerged victorious through the support of most party members who participated in the exercise.
The conflicting positions have further deepened the disagreement within the party, leaving the battle over the Imo West senatorial ticket as a major political issue ahead of the 2027 elections.
