The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Imo State has petitioned the state Police Command over the alleged circulation of a fake document purporting to declare Senator Rochas Okorocha the winner of the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial primary election for Imo West.
In a letter dated 8 October, 2026, and addressed to the Commissioner of Police, Imo State Command, the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Chukwuemeka Ibeziako, requested a police investigation into the origin and circulation of the disputed document.
The commission said the document, which was reportedly circulating on social media, differed from the official report of the APC senatorial primary election conducted on May 18, 2026, and signed and transmitted to INEC’s national headquarters.
According to the petition, the commission’s official report recognised Senator Hope Uzodinma as the duly elected APC candidate for the Imo West Senatorial District.
However, INEC alleged that another version of the report named Senator Rochas Okorocha as the successful candidate, raising concerns about the authenticity of the document and the circumstances surrounding its circulation.
To facilitate the investigation, the commission said it had attached copies of both documents to its letter.
The report it identified as authentic was marked Annexure A, while the disputed document was labelled Annexure B.
INEC urged the police to investigate the matter and take appropriate action in accordance with the law.
The commission also expressed concern that the circulation of the disputed document could create confusion over the outcome of the party’s primary election and potentially affect public order.
The petition, with reference number INEC/IMS/S.M/IX/49, was signed by the Resident Electoral Commissioner.
The matter has now been referred to the police for investigation into the disputed document’s origin, authenticity and circulation.
As of the time of this report, no findings from the proposed police investigation were contained in the petition.
