Stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Delta North Senatorial District have rejected what they described as a “self declared victory” by former Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, in the party’s senatorial primaries.
The stakeholders insisted that only the APC National Committee possesses the authority to officially announce the outcome of the exercise in line with party guidelines.
In a strongly worded statement issued after the primaries, the group criticised Okowa’s alleged declaration of victory, describing it as an attempt to manipulate public perception before the official collation and announcement process is completed.
“Victory cannot be self declared. The authority to announce results rests solely with the party’s National Committee in line with APC guidelines,” the stakeholders stated.
According to the group, results collated from several wards across Delta North showed that Senator Ned Nwoko secured overwhelming support and won the exercise convincingly.
The stakeholders noted that the APC had already outlined clear procedures for the conduct and collation of results, including ward collation, local government collation, and final submission to the national headquarters before any official declaration.
They accused Okowa of disregarding the laid down process by allegedly declaring himself winner before the completion of the official procedures.
“These figures emerging from the wards are clear and consistent. The people spoke overwhelmingly in favour of Senator Ned Nwoko,” the statement added.
The stakeholders cited several ward results they claimed reflected Nwoko’s dominance across the senatorial district.
According to them, in Ward 7, Ndokwa West, Nwoko polled 1,281 votes against Okowa’s 26 votes, while in Ward 9, Abbi, Ndokwa West, Nwoko reportedly secured 1,505 votes against Okowa’s 420 votes.
They also referenced results from wards in Ika North East, Ukwuani, and Oshimili South local government areas where they alleged Nwoko maintained wide margins over the former governor.
The stakeholders further alleged that the primaries were disrupted by violence and intimidation in some areas believed to be strongholds of Senator Nwoko.
According to the statement, a party member identified as Igelige Chukunomnazu reportedly sustained injuries in Ward 9, Obiaruku, Ukwuani Local Government Area following alleged attacks during the exercise.
The group also alleged that another individual identified as Ernest was stabbed in Ward 8, Aniocha North Local Government Area during the primaries.
In a separate incident, stakeholders claimed violence disrupted voting activities at Anishi Primary School in Ward 3, forcing the returning officer to flee the venue for safety.
Describing the incidents as attempts to suppress genuine voter expression, the stakeholders called on the APC National Committee to intervene and ensure that the final declaration reflects what they described as the true outcome of the primaries.
“The integrity of the party is at stake. This is not just about a primary election but about whether internal democracy will prevail,” the statement added.
