How Delta APC Primaries Were Manipulated — Ned Nwoko

The senator representing Delta North in the National Assembly, Ned Nwoko, has alleged that the Delta State Government manipulated the APC primaries, claiming he defeated Ifeanyi Okowa in the Delta North senatorial primary.

Nwoko made the allegations while speaking on ARISE NEWS on Tuesday. He expressed dissatisfaction with the conduct of the exercise, claiming the process lacked transparency and fairness.

“The process was manipulated from day one. The State Government conspired to produce results that suited them,” he alleged.

The senator further stated that his camp possessed ward-by-ward results and video evidence from the primaries, adding that the materials had already been submitted to party authorities.

“We have submitted them. Halfway through the primary, we got a message on our phones that no results should be announced at the ward level, but should instead be collected and announced later at the national level in Abuja,” he said.

Nwoko claimed that only one video from a ward in Ika North East surfaced publicly, alleging discrepancies between the crowd seen in the footage and the official figures announced.

“It was just one video, showing only a few people on the queue. But in the result, they said there were 5,000 votes,” he claimed.

He maintained that the video showing Okowa being declared winner represented only one ward out of the 98 wards involved in the exercise.

He challenged party officials to release results and supporting evidence from the remaining wards to ensure transparency.

“The video where Ifeanyi Okowa was announced winner was from just one ward out of 98 wards. They should show us the other videos and the figures,” he insisted.

Nwoko also said he would reject any outcome upheld by the APC national leadership if it contradicted what he described as the genuine mandate of party members.

“I wouldn’t accept it because I have the mandate of the people,” he said.

Responding to allegations of intimidation and violence in areas considered his strongholds, the senator described the incidents as isolated cases that did not affect the overall outcome of the primaries.

“They were isolated cases, maybe in about 10 wards out of 98, and not enough to make a difference,” he added.

Nwoko explained that he left the PDP because he lacked the freedom to operate effectively as a senator, alleging interference in projects and decision-making by the state leadership.

“I was elected as a PDP senator, but I realised that the governor and others did not allow me to operate freely,” he said.

Speaking further on the outcome of the primaries, Nwoko insisted that voter turnout and video evidence from across the wards showed strong support for his candidacy.

“They came out en masse to vote for me. The videos are there to show the level of support,” he maintained.

Commenting on the disputed results, the senator expressed confidence that the President would intervene in the matter, while stating that he remained committed to the party.

“I’m not going to work against the party. I will continue to work for the party, but I believe the President will intervene in this matter,” he said.

He added that his camp had already submitted results and videos from the 98 wards and reiterated that he had no intention of working against the APC.

“We have submitted the results from the 98 wards together with the videos. I remain confident that justice will prevail,” he said.