According to a report by Arise News from 8:24, on Wednesday May 20, 2026, the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial primary election for Delta North has descended into an intense political battle as the incumbent lawmaker, Senator Ned Nwoko, has vehemently rejected the declared victory of his opponent, former Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.
Nwoko alleges that the results were grossly manipulated by the state government and has vowed to take the matter to court if the party’s national hierarchy does not intervene.
Senator Nwoko asserted that authenticated ward-by-ward results and video evidence from the 98 wards in the district prove he won the primary election overwhelmingly.
He accused state actors and the returning officer whom he claims was appointed by the governor of conspiring to forge the final figures in favor of Okowa.
When asked why internal party competition in Nigeria so frequently devolves into a contest of force and coercion rather than persuasion, Senator Nwoko pointed to a fundamental difference in political character between himself and his opponent
He sharply criticized Okowa’s approach to governance, describing him as a politician who relies strictly on an institutional machine rather than grassroots support.
“There is something in the character. Because you will see somebody like my opponent, he doesn’t believe in the people. He believes in a system,” Nwoko stated during the interview.
“He feel that he can put what they call a structure within political circles. He makes sure that one of his guy is elected as a commissioner, House of Assembly member or as a local government chairman or the party chairman or so he puts them there and they they control everything with him, you know, he he doesn’t really relate with the people and the the reverse is the case with me.”
Nwoko further emphasized his own populist approach, framing himself as a political outsider who bypasses institutional gatekeepers to build direct relationships with voters.
“I relate with the people. I’m not a system person. And so he the people are with me and they will always be with me,” he declared….Read_More…