‘Only one ward declared’ – Nwoko challenges APC Delta North primary result

Incumbent Senator Ned Nwoko has alleged that the recent APC primaries in Delta North Senatorial District were manipulated to favour certain candidates and undermine internal party democracy.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with Arise News on Tuesday, Senator Nwoko expressed dissatisfaction with the conduct of the primaries, claiming the process lacked transparency and fairness.

“The process was manipulated from day one. The State Government… It’s something that they conspired to produce results for what they saw, or what they produced,” he said.

According to Nwoko, his camp possesses copies of ward-by-ward results and video evidence from the primaries, which have already been submitted to party authorities.

“We have submitted them. Halfway through the primary, we got a message that no results should be announced at the ward level — that they should be collected and then announced later at the national level in Abuja. And so, we thought we’d be law-abiding. Suddenly, we saw some news… they only called one ward,” he explained.

He insisted that the video showing Ifeanyi Okowa being declared winner represented just one of the 98 wards involved, challenging party officials to release results and evidence from all remaining wards to ensure transparency and accountability.

“Maybe they should show us other videos. They must show us the figures,” Nwoko said.

The senator rejected any outcome upheld by the APC national leadership if it contradicts what he described as the genuine mandate of party members, adding:

“I wouldn’t accept. Because I have a mandate. I have a mandate by the people.”

Addressing allegations of intimidation and violence during the primaries, Nwoko downplayed the incidents as isolated, occurring in roughly 10 out of 98 wards, insufficient to affect the overall outcome.

He also explained his defection from the PDP, citing restricted freedom to operate as a senator and interference in projects by state leadership.

“I was in PDP. I got elected as a PDP Senator. But I realized that my people there — the Governor, Okowa himself — didn’t allow me to operate freely,” he said.

Nwoko expressed confidence that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu would intervene to review the process, emphasizing that he remains committed to the party:

“I’m not going to work against the party; I’m going to work for the party. But I am confident the President will intervene in a matter of this nature.”

The senator concluded by reiterating that the results from all 98 wards, along with videos, have been submitted, underscoring his insistence on transparency and fairness.