Senator Ned Nwoko has accused the Delta State Government of manipulating the recent All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial primaries to favour handpicked candidates and undermine internal democracy.
In a televised interview, the Delta North senator described the exercise as lacking fairness and transparency from the outset.
“The process was manipulated from day one by the state government. It was a conspiracy to produce predetermined results,” Nwoko said.
He claimed that his camp has compiled ward-by-ward results and video evidence from all 98 wards, adding that the materials have already been submitted to the relevant authorities.
Nwoko alleged that party members were instructed mid-process to stop announcing results at ward level and instead forward them for declaration at national headquarters in Abuja.
He questioned the credibility of a viral video showing former governor Ifeanyi Okowa being declared the winner, noting that it reflected just one ward.
“Maybe they should show us the other 97 wards. They must show us the figures,” he said.
Nwoko vowed to reject any outcome ratified by the party leadership that contradicts what he called the genuine mandate of party members.
“I wouldn’t accept it. I have a mandate from the people,” he said.
On reports of violence and intimidation, the senator described them as isolated incidents that did not significantly affect the overall process.
He also explained that his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stemmed from restrictions placed on him by the Delta political establishment.
“I was elected as a PDP senator, but the governor and Okowa did not allow me to operate freely,” he said.
Nwoko expressed confidence that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu would intervene, while insisting he remains committed to the APC and would not work against the party.
“I’m not going to work against the party. I will work for the party. But I am sure the President will intervene,” he added.
He further alleged that long-standing APC members in Delta had been sidelined following the influx of former PDP figures, despite earlier assurances of power-sharing.
“How can you base a declaration on one ward alone? Find out what happened in the other 97,” he concluded.
