Businessman and incumbent lawmaker, Ned Nwoko, has raised serious concerns about the integrity of the Delta North APC primary election process, alleging significant dishonesty. In a recent video interview, Nwoko claimed that all 98 wards in Delta North voted in his favor, asserting that he possesses video evidence and documented results to substantiate his claims, which he said have already been submitted to party authorities.
During the primaries, Nwoko contended that party officials received directives instructing them not to publicly announce results at the ward level, indicating that the national party body in Abuja would handle the official announcement.
Additionally, he alleged that a video released later that evening depicted a large queue at a ward near the governor’s village, with one line purportedly consisting of about 500 individuals. Nwoko labeled this scene as dishonest, noting that the people involved were well-known figures within the political landscape.
He further accused Ifeanyi Okowa of perpetuating a misleading narrative through the video, arguing that it only showcased one ward out of the total 98 in Delta North.
In discussing the broader political climate in Delta State, Nwoko expressed concern that many politicians prioritize controlling the political system over genuine engagement with the electorate. He emphasized his commitment to maintaining a close relationship with the community, stating that public support is crucial for electoral success.
Nwoko also addressed issues of internal democracy within the APC, alleging that the governor has not provided him the opportunity to implement many of his proposed projects, leading him to feel like an outsider. He referenced a power plant commissioned by former President Olusegun Obasanjo in 2005, which he claimed had supplied electricity to multiple states, including Abuja.
Reflecting on his past, Nwoko noted that these challenges began during his tenure in the PDP and played a role in his decision to defect to the APC. He reaffirmed that both he and Okowa are currently members of the APC.
Nwoko expressed confidence that the ongoing disputes between what he described as two political elites in Delta State could potentially draw the intervention of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, whom he characterized as a democrat. He remarked that recent former members of the PDP now occupy influential positions within the APC’s party structure in Delta State.