Former Delta State governor Ifeanyi Okowa recorded overwhelming early victories over incumbent senator Ned Nwoko in the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election for the Delta North Senatorial ticket ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Results emerging from several wards on Monday showed Okowa dominating the exercise by wide margins, drawing attention to what supporters described as his deep grassroots influence across the senatorial district.
In Ute-Okpu Ward 9, early figures reportedly showed Okowa polling 6,922 votes against Nwoko’s three votes, while results from Onicha-Ukwuani Ward indicated a margin of 2,150 votes to 97 in favor of the former governor.
The primary election was conducted using the APC’s direct voting method, where party members openly lined up behind their preferred aspirants for physical headcounts. The process attracted significant public attention due to the visibly uneven turnout in several voting areas.
Supporters of Okowa celebrated the outcome as proof of his continued political dominance and popularity within Delta North, arguing that the large margins reflected genuine grassroots support built over years of political engagement and governance experience.
However, the exercise was not without controversy. Allies of Senator Nwoko rejected the credibility of the process, alleging widespread manipulation and interference by political appointees within the state structure.
Members of Nwoko’s camp accused certain officials of effectively holding the process “hostage” and disregarding directives that results should be transparently transmitted to party authorities in Abuja for proper collation and verification.
The allegations have intensified tensions within the APC in Delta State, where internal rivalries and factional competition continue to shape the struggle for control ahead of the next election cycle.
Political observers say the contest between Okowa and Nwoko reflects the broader battle for influence among heavyweight politicians repositioning themselves within Nigeria’s changing political environment.
The full official results are expected to be finalized and collated in Abuja, where party authorities will determine the APC’s final candidate for the Delta North senatorial seat in 2027.
Analysts note that the outcome of the primary could significantly reshape political calculations in the region, especially given Okowa’s longstanding influence in Delta politics and Nwoko’s growing national visibility.
As reactions continue to trail the exercise, the primary has once again highlighted recurring concerns over transparency, internal democracy, and factional disputes within Nigeria’s major political parties ahead of future elections.
