Ned Nwoko faults APC Delta north primary, seeks appeal panel intervention

Ned Nwoko,Senator  has challenged the outcome of the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial primary election for Delta North, insisting that the party’s appeal panel will correct what he described as “defective” results that produced former Delta State governor Ifeanyi Okowa as the winner of the contest.

Nwoko, who currently represents Delta North in the Senate, said the primary election conducted on Monday was fraught with irregularities and failed to reflect the true wishes of party delegates across the district. According to him, several complaints have already been formally lodged before the APC appeal committee, which he believes will review the exercise and deliver justice.

The lawmaker expressed confidence in the internal dispute resolution mechanism of the ruling party, maintaining that the irregularities observed during the primary could not stand unchallenged. He argued that the process violated established guidelines and disenfranchised genuine party stakeholders who participated in the exercise.

Okowa, a former vice-presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), emerged winner of the APC primary after defecting to the ruling party alongside several political allies in Delta State. His victory marked a significant political shift in Delta North and has intensified the rivalry within the APC ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Reacting to the outcome, Nwoko said the contest was not conducted in a transparent and credible manner, adding that some delegates and party officials were denied fair participation during the exercise. He insisted that the results announced did not accurately represent the votes cast at the primary.

The senator further stated that the appeal panel was established specifically to address disputes arising from party primaries and expressed optimism that the committee would thoroughly examine the petitions before it. He noted that party supremacy can only be sustained when internal democracy and fairness are upheld.

Political observers say the dispute could deepen divisions within the APC in Delta State, especially as the party seeks to consolidate its growing influence following the defection of several opposition figures. The emergence of Okowa has already altered the political dynamics in the state, with analysts predicting fierce alignments ahead of the next election cycle.

Despite the controversy, APC leaders in Delta State have called on party members to remain calm and allow the appeal process to run its course. The party is expected to review complaints from aggrieved aspirants before submitting its final list of candidates to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).