Okorocha, Police Clash Over Arrest Claims as Disputed APC Primary Result Triggers Probe
Okorocha, Police Clash Over Arrest Claims as Disputed APC Primary Result Triggers Probe
By Akin Alade
Former Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha has denied being arrested by the Nigeria Police Force, contradicting the police account that he was detained and subsequently released on bail amid an investigation into alleged forgery, criminal conspiracy and impersonation linked to a disputed All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial primary result.
The controversy has drawn attention to the lingering political dispute surrounding the APC primary for Imo West Senatorial District, which Okorocha contested. The police maintain that the former governor was arrested on Monday night, October 12, 2026, at the REIZ Continental Hotel in Abuja, before being released on bail following approximately one hour of interrogation.
However, Okorocha, through his Chief Press Secretary and Special Adviser on Media, Sam Onwuemeodo, dismissed the account, insisting that he was neither arrested nor granted bail. He also challenged those circulating the reports to provide evidence, arguing that there was no valid court order authorising his arrest.
The former governor further alleged that the Imo State Government, led by Governor Hope Uzodimma, was promoting a smear campaign against him. He maintained that the court order reportedly cited in connection with the incident had been vacated on September 14, 2026, five days after it was issued. The claim concerning the status of the order has not been independently verified.
At the centre of the police investigation is a disputed document circulating online that purportedly identifies Okorocha as the winner of the APC senatorial primary for Imo West. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has challenged the document, maintaining that the authentic primary report submitted to the commission recognised Uzodimma as the winner.
INEC’s Imo State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Chukwuemeka Ibeziako, reportedly petitioned the police and the Department of State Services (DSS) to investigate the document’s authenticity. The commission raised concerns that the disputed report contradicted the official results submitted to its national headquarters. The allegations remain subject to investigation, and no finding of guilt should be inferred from the existence of a petition.
The police spokesperson, Aniete Iniedu, said Okorocha’s arrest followed his failure to honour previous invitations for questioning. According to the police account, the former governor was expected to return to the Force Headquarters for further engagement as investigations continued. Okorocha’s denial, however, has introduced a public dispute over the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The development comes amid wider political and legal disagreements over the Imo West senatorial ticket ahead of the 2027 general elections. Okorocha has also challenged aspects of the recognition of Uzodimma as the party’s candidate in a separate legal action involving INEC, the governor and the APC.
As the investigation continues, attention will turn to the police findings, the authenticity of the disputed primary document and the legal questions surrounding the competing claims. Until the relevant authorities establish the facts, the allegations against Okorocha must be treated as allegations rather than proven offences.
