Former Governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha, made a comeback to mainstream politics by purchasing the form for the Orlu Zone senate seat ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He is set to slug it out with the incumbent governor of the state, Hope Uzodimma, for the Orlu Zone senatorial seat in the All Progressives Congress senatorial Primaries. Rochas, a popular national figure who contested for the presidency in 2023, is back in mainstream politics after a long hiatus.
The former governor of the state will be banking on his charisma. Speeches and Legacy to battle Uzodimma, who came to power courtesy of a controversial judgment in 2019.
Rocha’s tenure as Imo governor was marred by controversies, including substandard projects and a failed attempt to install his in-law, Uche Nwosu, as the next governor of the state.
Clash of Two Political Titans
The political battle between Rochas and Uzodimma will make for a good show, as both personalities have followings and legacies. Both are members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), although Uzodimma is highly placed in the party and is the current chairman of the Progressives Governor’s Forum
Orlu zone is the biggest senatorial zone in Nigeria with 12 Local Governments. Uzodimma will be banking on the Governor to Senate pipeline, which is very common in Nigeria’s politics. His tenure ends in 2028, and he will be out of office.
Rochas, on the other hand, has served this constituency before and will be looking to make a comeback. Both candidates have significant grassroots support in the zone, making it a tight contest.
The potential rivalry between Senator Rochas Okorocha and Governor Hope Uzodimma for the Imo West (Orlu) Senate seat in 2027 is one of the most anticipated political subplots in the Southeast.
As of May 2026, both men are at critical junctures in their careers: Uzodimma is nearing the end of his final term as Governor (ending January 2028), and Okorocha is eyeing a formal return to the frontline after his stint in the 9th Senate.
