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From Godwin Tsa, Abuja
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 Senator Ned Nwoko won the senatorial primaries by a wide margin going by results from the field.
In a statement yesterday in Abuja, 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 the statement by Emma Oboh, spokesperson, Ned Nwoko Media Team, 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 Working 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 Nwoko, dismissing Okowa’s claim as “fiction sustained by propaganda.”
The statement cited results from several wards across the senatorial district to support their claim.
“These figures are not isolated, they reflect a consistent and overwhelming pattern across the district. The people have spoken clearly in favour of Senator Nwoko,” the stakeholders stated.
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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 Working 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 Working 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.
