‘I Won’t Surrender My Mandate’ – Nwoko Threatens Court Battle Over Delta APC Primary

Senator representing Delta North, Ned Nwoko, has vowed to challenge the outcome of the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial primary in court if the party upholds the declaration of former Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, as winner.

Nwoko made the declaration during an interview on Arise News, where he insisted that he won the Delta North primary overwhelmingly and would not surrender what he described as the mandate given to him by party members.

“I won’t because I have a mandate,” the senator said when asked whether he would accept the outcome if the APC national leadership eventually rules against him.

The lawmaker maintained that the primary election was conducted across 98 wards in Delta North and claimed he possesses ward-by-ward result sheets and video evidence showing he defeated Okowa in the contest.

According to him, the controversy began after party officials allegedly instructed that no results should be announced at the ward level, with assurances that the final declaration would be made by the APC national leadership in Abuja.

Nwoko, however, alleged that the process was manipulated after a result from a single ward linked to Okowa’s political camp was used to announce the former governor as winner.

“These are people who manipulate results. That is their stock in trade,” he alleged during the interview.

The senator accused the Delta State Government of influencing the process, claiming the returning officer who announced the result was appointed by forces loyal to the state administration.

He further alleged that long-standing APC members in Delta State had been sidelined following the defection of major Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) figures into the ruling party.

Nwoko said he remains hopeful that President Bola Tinubu and the APC national leadership would intervene to ensure justice is done.

Despite expressing confidence in his evidence, the senator indicated that litigation remains an option if the party fails to reverse the outcome.

“You cannot convince somebody who is innocent to say he is guilty. It is not possible. We won the primary,” he stated.

The disputed Delta North APC primary has sparked growing tension within the party in Delta State, with both camps insisting they emerged victorious as the 2027 political contest begins to gather momentum.