‘No magic counting,’ Delta commissioner explains Okowa’s 113,309 votes against Nwoko

Delta State Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Charles Aniagwu, has defended the outcome of the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial primary in Delta North, explaining why former governor Ifeanyi Okowa overwhelmingly defeated incumbent Senator Ned Nwoko.

Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Aniagwu dismissed allegations that the exercise was manipulated, insisting that the large margin recorded by Okowa reflected the genuine will of party members. “There was no ‘magic counting’ during the primary election,” he said.

The commissioner attributed Okowa’s victory to his widespread grassroots support and long-standing relationship with local party stakeholders. “Okowa has consistently maintained strong ties with party members and the electorate, empowering them and engaging them regularly,” Aniagwu said.

He added that emotional attachment also plays a key role in local politics. “In Delta North, we have well over 150,000 registered APC members. Political loyalty, consistent engagement, and empowerment programs drive voter turnout in local elections, much like how football fans celebrate their teams,” Aniagwu said.

Aniagwu criticized Nwoko for failing to adequately consult and involve critical stakeholders before seeking re-election. “The incumbent senator lacked a visible political presence in the district. Unlike Okowa, he relied too heavily on backing from influential figures in Abuja, expecting the powers that be to secure his ticket without going through the democratic process,” he said.

The commissioner also noted that Nwoko has not effectively represented the interests of Delta North in the National Assembly. “Many constituents feel the senator is representing Abuja, not Delta. Okowa’s strong local engagement and long-term connection to the community made the difference,” Aniagwu added.

Okowa, who served as governor from 2015 to 2023 on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), defected to the APC in April 2025 along with incumbent Governor Sheriff Oborevwori.

In the APC Delta North senatorial primary, Okowa polled 113,309 votes, while Nwoko scored 2,612 votes and Mariam Ali received 40 votes. The incumbent senator has yet to respond to the commissioner’s claims.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has scheduled the National Assembly elections for January 16, 2027, setting the stage for what promises to be a closely watched contest in the state.