Why Nwoko Lost APC Primary to Okowa — Delta Commissioner
Delta commissioner alleges lack of grassroots engagement and political consultation cost Ned Nwoko support in the APC senatorial primary.
Delta State Commissioner Charles Aniagwu says Senator Ned Nwoko’s defeat in the APC primary election was due to limited grassroots mobilisation and insufficient engagement with party leaders, while praising Ifeanyi Okowa’s extensive consultations across Delta North.
Delta State Commissioner for Works, Rural Roads and Public Information, Charles Aniagwu, has explained why Senator Ned Nwoko lost the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election to former Delta State governor Ifeanyi Okowa.
Speaking during an interview on Channels Television, Aniagwu argued that Nwoko’s defeat was largely due to what he described as limited political engagement and inadequate consultation across the Delta North Senatorial District ahead of the primary.
According to him, while Okowa actively met with party stakeholders and leaders across the district’s nine local government areas, Nwoko allegedly failed to build grassroots support.
Aniagwu stated that Okowa secured 113,309 votes in the exercise, compared with Nwoko’s 2,612 votes, noting that internal party elections often differ from general elections because of the nature of delegate participation and party structures.
He claimed that Nwoko did not sufficiently engage leaders across the 98 wards in the senatorial district and alleged that many stakeholders were not informed of his intention to contest.
The commissioner also alleged that the senator had limited interactions with traditional institutions, ward leaders, political appointees and local party structures within the district.
Aniagwu further argued that local political relationships and sustained consultations played a major role in the outcome of the primary.
According to him, Okowa maintained regular engagement with political leaders and stakeholders throughout the district before the election.
He also dismissed suggestions that crowd presence around Nwoko reflected actual voting strength, maintaining that official delegate processes determined the final outcome.
