Former Delta State governor Ifeanyi Okowa defeated incumbent senator Ned Nwoko in the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial primary for Delta North because of his deep grassroots connections and strong relationship with party members, according to Delta State Commissioner Charles Aniagwu.
Speaking on the outcome of the APC primary, Aniagwu dismissed allegations that the exercise was manipulated, insisting that the vote reflected the will of party members across the district.
According to Channels Television, Aniagwu said Okowa’s long-standing engagement with stakeholders and empowerment programmes gave him an edge over Nwoko in the contest.
He argued that political loyalty and emotional attachment often influence party primaries, adding that Delta North has more than 150,000 registered APC members.
Aniagwu also claimed that Senator Nwoko failed to adequately consult key stakeholders before seeking re-election. He said the lawmaker lacked a strong political presence in the district compared to Okowa, whom he described as deeply rooted among party members and residents.
The commissioner further alleged that many political leaders who supported Nwoko during the 2023 elections had withdrawn their goodwill ahead of the latest primary.
Reacting to claims that the election was manipulated, Aniagwu said there was no “magic counting” during the process. He accused Nwoko of allegedly relying on support from influential figures in Abuja instead of depending on the democratic process.
Aniagwu also criticised the senator’s performance at the National Assembly, claiming many constituents in Delta North could not feel his representation.
In the APC senatorial primary, the party announced that Okowa polled 113,309 votes, while Nwoko secured 2,612 votes. Mariam Ali received 40 votes.
Nwoko had not responded to the commissioner’s claims as of the time of filing this report.
Okowa, who governed Delta State between 2015 and 2023 under the Peoples Democratic Party, defected to the APC in April 2025 alongside Governor Sheriff Oborevwori.
The Independent National Electoral Commission has fixed the National Assembly elections for January 16, 2027.
