APC: Delta Commissioner Reveals Why Okowa Defeated Nwoko In Primary Contest

Aniagwu attributed Okowa’s victory to his strong grassroots network and long-standing relationships with party stakeholders across the district, insisting that the process was transparent and free from manipulation.

He dismissed claims that the primary was rigged, stressing that there was no irregularity or “magic counting” in the exercise.

According to him, internal party contests are often determined by the level of connection and engagement aspirants have built with members over time.

He said party loyalty and emotional attachment also play a key role in primaries, noting that members are more likely to support candidates they feel connected to.

Aniagwu explained that the APC in Delta North has over 150,000 registered members and that the election took place within a closely-knit political environment where familiarity matters.

He further alleged that Nwoko failed to adequately consult and engage key stakeholders before seeking re-election, unlike Okowa, who he said maintained strong ties within the district.

The commissioner recalled that Okowa and other leaders in the region had previously supported Nwoko’s 2023 senatorial ambition, but claimed that the senator had since lost significant goodwill among stakeholders.

Responding to allegations of manipulation raised by Nwoko, Aniagwu suggested that the senator may have expected backing from powerful figures in Abuja rather than relying on grassroots support within the party structure.

He maintained that Nwoko appeared to have assumed he would be automatically endorsed without participating fully in the democratic process.

Aniagwu also criticised the senator’s performance in office, alleging that many constituents in Delta North had not felt his impact or representation at the National Assembly.

He insisted that Okowa’s overwhelming margin of victory reflected the genuine will of APC members in the district.

According to official results, Okowa polled 113,309 votes, while Nwoko secured 2,612 votes, and Mariam Ali received 40 votes.

Nwoko has yet to respond to the claims made by Aniagwu regarding the outcome of the primary.

Okowa, who governed Delta State from 2015 to 2023 under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), defected to the APC in April 2025 alongside Governor Sheriff Oborevwori.