Former Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha has been arrested by the Nigeria Police Force over allegations of criminal conspiracy, forgery and impersonation linked to the disputed All Progressives Congress (APC) Imo West senatorial primary.

Okorocha was reportedly arrested on Monday night, October 12, 2026, at REIZ Continental Hotel in Abuja, following a court order authorising his arrest after he allegedly failed to honour previous police invitations.

However, the former governor was released on bail after approximately one hour of interrogation and was directed to return to the Force Headquarters on Tuesday for further questioning, according to reports citing the Imo State Police Command.

The police reportedly invited Okorocha for questioning on September 2, but the appointment was rescheduled to September 8 at the request of his lawyers. He allegedly failed to attend the rescheduled meeting, prompting further action by the authorities.

The investigation centres on a disputed document purporting to show that Okorocha won the APC senatorial primary for Imo West, also known as Orlu Zone, ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has disowned the document, insisting that its official records identify Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma as the winner of the May 18, 2026, primary election and the party’s duly submitted candidate for the senatorial district.

In letters dated October 8, the commission reportedly asked the police and the Department of State Services (DSS) to investigate the disputed primary results, describing the document naming Okorocha as the winner as fictitious.

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INEC reportedly attached copies of the official primary report and the disputed document to its correspondence with the security agencies, requesting an investigation into the document’s origin and authenticity.

A Senior Magistrate Court in Abuja had also issued bench warrants for the arrest of Okorocha, former senator Ifeanyi Araraume, Timothy Ama Chuks and Amen Okorocha over allegations of criminal conspiracy, forgery and the tendering of false documents.

The allegations concern the purported alteration or presentation of APC primary results to show Okorocha as the winner despite the party’s official submission naming Uzodimma.

Before news of his arrest emerged, Okorocha had publicly denied reports that a court issued a warrant for his arrest, challenging those making the claims to publish the relevant court documents.

He also disputed suggestions that INEC had indicted him, arguing that the commission’s correspondence requested an investigation into a document in circulation rather than establishing his guilt.

The former governor has maintained that the controversy should be addressed through due process.

The latest arrest report marks a new stage in the dispute over the APC’s Imo West senatorial ticket, which has become a point of contention ahead of the 2027 elections.

Okorocha, who governed Imo State from 2011 to 2019 and later represented Imo West in the Senate, has also pursued legal action relating to the primary election and INEC’s recognition of Uzodimma.

The police have not publicly disclosed all the details of the investigation, and the allegations against Okorocha and the other individuals remain subject to judicial determination.

His release on bail does not amount to a determination of the allegations, while further questioning and investigation are expected to clarify the circumstances surrounding the disputed document.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has asked political parties affected by the omission of candidates from its final list for the 2027 general elections to submit formal complaints, as concerns grow over discrepancies involving governorship and legislative candidates across Nigeria.

The development has triggered fresh political tensions, with the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) opting for discussions with the electoral commission, while the Social Democratic Party (SDP) says it has initiated legal action to challenge the omissions.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) have also raised concerns over candidates whose names are missing from the published list.

INEC, however, has indicated that it will not respond to media reports about the omissions, signalling that affected parties should formally notify the commission of the discrepancies.

The NDC said it was engaging with INEC to resolve the matter within the 14-day window provided under the Electoral Act 2026 for correcting errors identified in candidate submissions.

The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Araba Director, said the NDC had not gone to court because it was still pursuing discussions with the commission.

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He said the party remained committed to exploring all available legal and constitutional options to ensure its candidates were recognised.

Among those reportedly affected is the NDC’s Kano State governorship candidate, Aminu Abdulsalam Gwarzo, whose running mate, Mustapha Rabiu Kwankwaso, was also omitted from the list.

The party’s House of Representatives candidate in Kano, Yusuf Ibrahim Kotamata, attributed the omission to a possible error in the entry of candidates’ details. He said the party had received assurances that INEC was working to correct the discrepancy.

The NDC’s Cross River governorship candidate, John Upan Odey Jr, also described his omission as a possible bureaucratic error, adding that the problem affected candidates in other states.

The SDP, meanwhile, has taken a different approach. Its National Publicity Secretary, Rufus Abiyegba, said the party had prepared an affidavit and served the electoral commission as part of its legal challenge.

He expressed confidence in the judicial process, indicating that the party had activated the necessary legal procedures to address the issue.

The omissions have also affected the PDP, whose governorship candidates in Oyo and Gombe states were reportedly absent from INEC’s final list.

In Oyo State, PDP candidate Oladipupo Adebulu maintained that he had completed his digital registration and submitted the required documentation within the stipulated period.

In Gombe State, Isa Pantami, who won a fresh PDP governorship primary on September 29 following a court-ordered rerun, was also missing from the published list alongside his running mate.

The ADC has similarly complained about the omission of its Cross River governorship candidate.

The discrepancies have raised questions about candidate nomination procedures, compliance with electoral laws and the verification of information submitted by political parties.

The controversy comes after the Supreme Court restored provisions of the Electoral Act 2026 concerning political party membership registers and participation in primaries. The provisions require parties to use membership registers submitted to INEC within the prescribed period and restrict participation in primaries to eligible registered members.

The court ruling has become relevant to disputes surrounding some of the omitted candidates, although INEC’s published list does not specify the reason for each omission.

Political parties are now seeking clarification and possible corrections, while some affected candidates have expressed confidence that the matter can still be resolved through administrative engagement or legal proceedings.

With preparations for the 2027 elections gathering momentum, the dispute places renewed attention on the accuracy of INEC’s candidate records and the importance of resolving nomination controversies in accordance with electoral law.

The outcome of the complaints and court proceedings could determine whether the affected candidates are eventually included in the final list, depending on the applicable legal requirements and the circumstances of each case.