Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, on Tuesday described the just concluded All Progressives Congress senatorial primaries in Delta State as the freest and fairest since the party was formed in the state, while taking a swipe at politicians he accused of attempting to impose candidates from Abuja.
Keyamo made the remarks in a statement issued after the APC primaries which produced former Delta State governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, Senator Ede Dafinone and Senator Joel-Onowakpo Thomas as winners in Delta North, Delta Central and Delta South respectively.
The minister said the outcome of the exercise reflected the wishes of grassroots party members, insisting that aspirants who failed to engage local party structures were rejected by voters.
“Those who ignored local and grassroots leaders and neither lobbied nor consulted them, but sought to get tickets from Abuja to impose themselves on the people have now been brought down from their high horses,” Keyamo stated.
He added that the development should serve as “a moment of sober reflection” for defeated aspirants and an opportunity for them to return to grassroots party building.
The minister, who described himself as one of the founding leaders and earliest senatorial aspirants of the APC in Delta State, said the primaries witnessed large participation by what he called “organic voters” across ward levels in the state.
“I can state unequivocally that this is the best primaries organised by the party in the state since its inception,” he said.
Keyamo congratulated Okowa, Dafinone and Joel-Onowakpo on what he described as their “resounding victories,” adding that their emergence was fully deserved.
The Delta APC primaries drew national attention after several prominent political figures contested for the party’s senatorial tickets ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In Delta North, Okowa defeated incumbent Senator Ned Nwoko in a keenly watched contest, while Dafinone emerged victorious in Delta Central against former Deputy Senate President Ovie Omo-Agege.
Joel-Onowakpo also secured the Delta South ticket amid strong competition within the district.
Calling for unity after the primaries, Keyamo urged defeated aspirants and their supporters to accept the outcome of the exercise and work towards the success of the party in the general elections.
“Now is a time for healing and reconciliation. I urge all those who have lost gallantly to take it on their chin and embrace the victors for the unity of the party,” he said.
He also appealed to the winners to accommodate their former rivals and their supporters within party structures.
“I also urge the victors to be magnanimous in victory and extend hands of fellowship and brotherliness to the losers and accommodate them and their supporters within their structures,” the minister added.
Keyamo further commended Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, for what he described as inclusive leadership within the party, expressing confidence that the APC would record electoral success in the state in 2027.
He also praised President Bola Tinubu for promoting internal democracy within the APC nationwide.
“Finally, the greatest thanks go to the overall leader of the party, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for promoting internal democracy and allowing a free and fair process nationwide,” Keyamo stated.
The APC primaries across several states have continued to generate reactions following the defeat of some serving lawmakers and political heavyweights, alongside allegations of manipulation and disputes over outcomes in some districts.