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By Tracy Moses
Stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Delta North Senatorial District have rejected what they described as the “self-declared victory” of former Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, insisting that Senator Ned Munir Nwoko won the party’s senatorial primaries overwhelmingly across the district.
The stakeholders, in a statement signed by the spokesperson of the Ned Nwoko Media Office, Engr. Emma Eboh, accused Okowa of attempting to undermine the party’s laid-down procedures by allegedly declaring himself winner before the conclusion of the official collation and announcement process.
According to the statement, the APC National Organising Secretary had earlier outlined clear guidelines for the conduct of the primaries, including ward collation, local government collation, designated constituency collation centres, and final submission of results to the party’s national headquarters.
“The authority to officially declare results rests solely with the National Committee,” the stakeholders stated.
“What Senator Okowa has done is a violation of party guidelines and a deliberate attempt to manipulate public perception ahead of due process.”
The stakeholders maintained that results obtained from several wards across Delta North showed that Senator Ned Nwoko secured a commanding lead in the exercise.
“These figures are not isolated,” the statement said.
“They represent a clear and consistent voting pattern across Delta North Senatorial District. The people have spoken loudly in support of Senator Ned Nwoko.”
The group dismissed Okowa’s alleged claim of victory as “fiction sustained by propaganda,” insisting that the results from the field contradicted the narrative being circulated.
They cited results from various wards, including Ward 7 in Ndokwa West, where Nwoko allegedly polled 1,281 votes against Okowa’s 26 votes, and Ward 10 in Idumuesa, Ika North East, where Nwoko reportedly secured 2,719 votes against Okowa’s 13 votes.
The stakeholders also pointed to results from Oshimili South Ward 6, where Nwoko was said to have recorded 5,398 votes against 53 votes for Okowa, as well as Oshimili South Ward 5, where he allegedly polled 4,642 votes against Okowa’s 101 votes.
“For us in Delta North, the outcome is already evident,” the statement added.
“What remains is for the APC National Committee to uphold the integrity of the process and affirm the true will of party members.”
The stakeholders further alleged that the primary election was marred by violence, intimidation, and attempts to suppress support for Nwoko in some areas.
According to the statement, a party member identified as Igelige Chukunomnazu alleged that voters were intimidated and vote counting processes manipulated in Ward 9, Obiaruku, in Ukwuani Local Government Area.
The stakeholders claimed that Chukunomnazu and several supporters of Nwoko sustained injuries during the incident and were taken to hospital for treatment.
They also alleged that an individual identified simply as Ernest was stabbed during the exercise in Ward 8 of Aniocha North Local Government Area.
“Video and photographic evidence of the incident are available,” the statement claimed.
The group further alleged that violence disrupted activities at Ward 3, Anishi Primary School, forcing the returning officer to flee the venue for safety.
Describing the incidents as “coordinated efforts aimed at suppressing genuine voter expression,” the stakeholders called on the APC National Committee to intervene and ensure that justice prevails.
“The integrity and credibility of the APC are at stake,” the statement noted.
“This goes beyond a primary election. It is about whether internal democracy within the party will be protected or sacrificed for political manipulation.”
The stakeholders urged the APC leadership to disregard what they termed “manufactured narratives” and ensure that the final declaration reflects the actual outcome of the exercise.
“We call on the party leadership to remain transparent, fair, and committed to justice,” they stated.
“The will of APC members across Delta North must not be distorted. Senator Ned Nwoko won overwhelmingly, and the facts from the wards speak for themselves.”