Allegations of irregularities have continued to trail the Delta North All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial primaries held across the 98 wards in the district, following the emergence of conflicting claims over the election results.
Results released after the primaries held on Monday, May 18, 2026, showed former Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, reportedly polling 113,309 votes and incumbent Senator Ned Nwoko was credited with 2,613 votes. Another aspirant, Maryam Alli, reportedly scored 40 votes.
However, video clips released by the office of Senator Ned Nwoko and shared on his Facebook page have raised questions about the authenticity of the announced figures.
Watch the video https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1Cv7HdQvPP/
The videos, which captured party members voting, celebrating, singing, and openly expressing support for Senator Nwoko in several wards, have fueled calls for an investigation into the conduct and outcome of the primaries.
Observers argue that the declared results appear inconsistent with scenes from the election, particularly given claims that no single aspirant could realistically dominate all wards with near-total margins.
In a statement posted on Sunday, June 7, 2026, titled “Delta North APC Primaries: The Will of the People Cannot Be Overruled,” Senator Nwoko maintained that the figures announced by the returning officers did not reflect the true outcome of the exercise.
“No individual declaration, announcement, or political maneuver can substitute for the lawful votes cast by accredited voters,” Nwoko stated.
He emphasized that democracy must be built on transparency, due process, and respect for the will of the people, expressing confidence that justice would prevail within the party’s internal processes.
“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.
The senator also appealed to his supporters to remain peaceful and law-abiding while awaiting the party’s final position on the matter.
“The mandate freely given by the people of Delta North is sacred, and together we will protect it,” he added.
Speaking further in an interview, Senator Nwoko alleged that the figures released to the public were misrepresented and did not reflect the actual voting pattern during the primaries.
According to supporters of the senator, videos circulating online suggest that Nwoko performed strongly in several wards, including areas within Ika North East Local Government Area, regarded as a stronghold of his main challenger.
In many of the clips, party members were seen chanting support songs and celebrating what appeared to be victories for the incumbent senator.
Senator Nwoko also defended his performance in office, insisting that he had consistently represented the interests of the Anioma people at the National Assembly.
“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.
Reacting to the controversy during an interview on TVC News, Nwoko’s lawyer, Barrister Anthony Ogana, argued that many of the videos originated from Ika communities, yet showed significant support for the senator despite him not being from the area.
“The videos showed that Ned won even in the stronghold of our major challenger,” Ogana said.
He also argued that only the APC national leadership has the authority to officially ratify and declare the final outcome of the primaries.
“As I speak to you now, APC national has not given any senator a certificate of return. It has only given a certificate of return to the president,” he stated.
Ogana further alleged that political forces within the party in the state were attempting to edge Senator Nwoko out because of his strong advocacy for the creation of Anioma State.
According to him, many people in Delta North continue to support Nwoko because of his commitment to the Anioma cause and regional development.
He questioned the developmental imbalance in the region, noting that despite Okpai in Ndokwa East supplying electricity to Nigeria, many communities in Anioma land still face poor 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.
