By Unue Emeka,
Fresh controversy has engulfed the Delta North Senatorial primary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) following allegations of irregularities and conflicting claims over the outcome of the exercise, with incumbent Senator Ned Nwoko challenging the credibility of the results announced after the election.
Results released following the primaries held across the 98 wards of Delta North on Monday, May 18, 2026, reportedly showed former Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, polling 113,309 votes to emerge the winner. Senator Ned Nwoko was credited with 2,613 votes, while another aspirant, Maryam Alli, reportedly secured 40 votes.
However, video clips released by Senator Nwoko's office and shared on his official Facebook page have intensified calls for a review of the exercise, with supporters questioning the authenticity of the figures announced by party officials.
The videos, which captured party members voting, celebrating, singing and openly declaring support for Nwoko in several wards across the district, have fueled debate over whether the declared results accurately reflected the voting pattern witnessed during the primaries.
Political observers and party stakeholders have also raised concerns, arguing that the announced figures appear inconsistent with scenes from the election, particularly amid claims that no single aspirant could realistically dominate all 98 wards by such overwhelming margins.
Responding to the controversy, Senator Nwoko, in a statement issued on June 7, 2026, titled "Delta North APC Primaries: The Will of the People Cannot Be Overruled," maintained that the results announced by returning officers did not represent the true outcome of the exercise.
“No individual declaration, announcement, or political manoeuvre can substitute for the lawful votes cast by accredited voters,” Nwoko stated.
The senator stressed that democracy must be anchored on transparency, due process and respect for the wishes of party members, expressing confidence that the APC's internal mechanisms would ultimately ensure justice.
“My commitment has always been to the people of Delta North, whose overwhelming support continues to inspire our movement for progress, justice, and inclusive development,” he said.
While urging calm among his supporters, Nwoko appealed for patience as the party concludes its review of the primary process.
“The mandate freely given by the people of Delta North is sacred, and together we will protect it,” he added.
Speaking further on the matter, the senator alleged that the figures released to the public had been misrepresented and failed to reflect the actual voting pattern recorded across the district.
Supporters of Nwoko point to numerous videos circulating online, which, they claim, show the senator enjoying significant support in several wards, including communities within Ika North East Local Government Area, widely regarded as a political stronghold of his principal challenger.
In many of the clips, party members were seen chanting support songs, celebrating and declaring what appeared to be victories for the incumbent senator in their respective wards.
Defending his record in office, Nwoko argued that his performance and advocacy on behalf of the Anioma people have earned him enduring grassroots support.
“I speak for the people all the time. The people of Anioma know who I am. I know them, and I know their problems. These are things I’ve been addressing in the National Assembly,” he said.
Adding a legal dimension to the dispute, Nwoko's counsel, Barrister Anthony Ogana, during an appearance on TVC News, argued that many of the videos originated from communities within Ika land yet reflected substantial support for the senator despite not being from the area.
“The videos showed that Ned won even in the stronghold of our major challenger,” Ogana said.
Ogana further maintained that the authority to ratify and formally declare the final outcome of the primary rests exclusively with the national leadership of the APC.
“As I speak to you now, the APC national has not given any senator a certificate of return. It has only given a certificate of return to the president,” he stated.
The lawyer also alleged that certain political interests within the state chapter of the party were uncomfortable with Nwoko's sustained advocacy for the creation of Anioma State and were seeking to undermine his political future.
According to him, support for the senator across Delta North remains strong because of his commitment to regional development and the Anioma State project.
Questioning what he described as longstanding developmental disparities in the region, Ogana noted that despite Okpai in Ndokwa East hosting major power infrastructure that contributes significantly to Nigeria's electricity supply, many communities across Anioma land continue to experience inadequate power supply.
“Election is about representation. Let our Anioma senator go back to the Senate and give us Anioma State. That’s what we are waiting for,” Ogana said.
As the controversy continues to unfold, attention is now focused on the APC national leadership and whether it will intervene to address the concerns raised over the conduct and outcome of the Delta North senatorial primary.
