ASABA, DELTA STATE
Delta North stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have firmly rejected what they described as a “self-imposed and propagandist declaration of victory” by former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, insisting that results from the field show Distinguished Senator Ned Munir Nwoko won the senatorial primaries by a wide margin.
In a strongly worded statement, the stakeholders accused Okowa of attempting to subvert established party procedures by prematurely claiming victory, despite clear guidelines issued by the APC National Organising Secretary.
According to them, the party had, before the primaries, outlined a strict process for result collation and announcement, including Ward Collation, Local Government Area (LGA) Collation, Designated Constituency Collation Centres, and final submission to the National Headquarters.
“The authority to declare results rests solely with the National Committee. What Okowa has done is a clear violation of party rules and an attempt to manipulate perception ahead of due process,” the statement said.
The stakeholders maintained that figures emerging from across Delta North overwhelmingly favour Senator Ned Nwoko, dismissing Okowa’s claim as “fiction sustained by propaganda.”
They cited results from several wards across the senatorial district:
Ward 7, Ndokwa West: Ned Nwoko – 1281; Okowa – 26; Void – 35; Total Accreditation – 1342.
Ward 9, Abbi, Ndokwa West: Ned Nwoko – 1505; Okowa – 420.
Ward 7, Akumazi: Ned Nwoko – 687; Okowa – 5.
Ward 13, Ute Ogbeje, Ika North East: Ned Nwoko – 415; Okowa – 13.
Ward 10, Idumuesa, Ika North East: Ned Nwoko – 2719; Okowa – 13.
Ukwuani LGA Ward 8: Ned Nwoko – 450; Okowa – 20.
Ukwuani LGA Ward 1: Ned Nwoko – 1438; Okowa – 68.
Ukwuani LGA Ward 10: Ned Nwoko – 940; Okowa – 9.
Ukwuani LGA Ward 9: Ned Nwoko – 750; Okowa – 200.
Ukwuani LGA Ward 2: Ned Nwoko – 251; Okowa – 56.
Oshimili South Ward 3: Ned Nwoko – 1221; Okowa – 41.
Oshimili South Ward 4: Ned Nwoko – 1465; Okowa – 59.
Oshimili South Ward 6: Ned Nwoko – 5398; Okowa – 53.
Oshimili South Ward 8: Ned Nwoko – 2335; Okowa – 61.
Oshimili South Ward 7: Ned Nwoko – 1412; Okowa – 21.
Oshimili South Ward 5: Ned Nwoko – 4642; Okowa – 101.
Oshimili South Ward 1: Ned Nwoko – 500; Okowa – 115.
Oshimili South Ward 9: Ned Nwoko – 3679; Okowa – 49.
Oshimili South Ward 10: Ned Nwoko – 1234; Okowa – 99.
Oshimili South Ward 2: Ned Nwoko – 1551; Okowa – 103.
Oshimili South Ward 11: Ned Nwoko – 4355; Okowa – 54.
Ndokwa West Ward 8: Ned Nwoko – 14.
“These figures are not isolated—they reflect a consistent and overwhelming pattern across the district. The people have spoken clearly in favour of Senator Ned Nwoko,” the stakeholders stated.
They further alleged that the primaries were marred by intimidation and violence in areas where support for Nwoko was most pronounced.
In Ward 9, Obiaruku (Ukwuani LGA), a party member, Igelige Chukunomnazu, recounted how voters were allegedly coerced, counting processes were manipulated, and supporters of Nwoko were attacked. He and others sustained injuries and were taken to the hospital.
Similarly, in Ward 8, Aniocha North LGA, an individual identified as Ernest was reportedly stabbed during the exercise, with video and photographic evidence available.
In Ward 3, Anishi Primary School, stakeholders said violence escalated to the point that the returning officer fled the venue for safety.
Describing these incidents as “coordinated attempts to suppress genuine voter expression,” the stakeholders called on the APC National Committee to intervene decisively.
“The integrity of the party is at stake. This is not just about a primary election—it is about whether internal democracy will be upheld or sacrificed to manipulation,” the statement added.
They urged the National Committee to disregard what they termed “manufactured narratives” and ensure that the final declaration reflects the true outcome as expressed across the wards.
“For us in Delta North, the result is already evident. What remains is for the party to uphold its own rules and formally affirm the will of the people,” the stakeholders concluded.
