The Delta State Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Charles Aniagwu, has defended the outcome of the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial primary in Delta North.
Aniagwu said former governor Ifeanyi Okowa defeated the incumbent senator, Ned Nwoko, because of his strong grassroots support and long-standing relationship with party stakeholders.
He dismissed allegations that the primary was manipulated, insisting that there was no “magic counting” during the exercise.
Aniagwu said party primaries were often influenced by the relationship aspirants had built with members over time.
He said, “I’m sure two days ago, you saw how many people who are lovers of football, particularly Arsenal fans, were celebrating the victory of Arsenal. That tells you emotional attachment to what you believe in.
“In a political party, there are emotional attachments that members of that party, in general elections, if they don’t want, they may just stay away, but when it comes to the party, there are many factors.
“I told you about how you relate to them, the empowerment that you carry out, and many other things that make them come out.
“In Delta North, we have well over 150,000 people registered as members of the party, and this thing is taking place in a local environment.”
‘Nwoko Failed To Consult Stakeholders’
The commissioner said Nwoko did not adequately consult or engage critical stakeholders before seeking re-election.
He said Okowa, unlike the incumbent senator, remained deeply rooted in the district and maintained strong ties with party members and the electorate.
Aniagwu recalled that Okowa and other political leaders in Delta North supported Nwoko’s senatorial ambition during the 2023 elections, but alleged that the senator had lost the goodwill of many stakeholders.
Reacting to Nwoko’s allegation that the primary was manipulated, Aniagwu alleged that the senator may have expected support from influential figures in Abuja to secure the ticket without going through the democratic process.
He claimed that Nwoko was probably expecting “the powers that be in Abuja” to simply coronate him.
The commissioner also accused the senator of failing to effectively represent Delta North at the National Assembly.
According to him, Nwoko was representing Abuja and not Delta in the Senate because many people in the district could not feel his presence or representation.
Aniagwu insisted that Okowa’s margin of victory reflected the will of APC members in Delta North.
According to results released by the party, Okowa polled 113,309 votes, while Nwoko scored 2,612 votes. Mariam Ali recorded 40 votes.
Nwoko had yet to respond to Aniagwu’s claims on the outcome of the primary.
Okowa, who served as Delta State governor from 2015 to 2023 on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, defected to the APC in April 2025 alongside Governor Sheriff Oborevwori.