Delta North APC primary: Ned Nwoko cry say panel dey held hostage

Senator Ned Nwoko wey dey represent Delta North Senatorial District don raise alarm over alleged manipulation of the process for All Progressives Congress, APC, primary election for the zone. Nwoko dey contest alongside former governor of the State, Ifeanyi Okowa, wey defect from Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to the APC last year.

For a statement wey Ekene Kerry, Director General of his Campaign Organisation issue on Monday morning, Nwoko say agents of state government dey hell-bent on truncating the will of the people. The office say despite earning the trust of the people, the Delta State government don make am priority to block his emergence. They dey act on orders of former Governor Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, wey declare im intent to return to the Senate despite rejection by Deltans in 2023.

Nwoko recall say as sitting governor and PDP Vice Presidential candidate, Dr. Okowa lose Delta to Labour Party for the 2023 presidential election 341,866 to 161,600. On that same day, the people of Delta North elect Senator Ned Nwoko over both LP and APC candidates. The people don speak before and the people go speak again. Senator Nwoko join APC when e clear say PDP dey drift. Dem vilify am then by the same individuals wey now dey APC, hijacking the party structure and shutting out free and fair participation.

On the alleged plans to manipulate the primary election process, the Campaign Organisation say the panel wey dem send to conduct the primaries don become hostage. State machinery don mobilize, with state government appointees acting as returning officers at ward and LGA levels to write results for Dr. Okowa. There dey threats to defy APC National Headquarters directive to transmit all results to Abuja, out of fear of Senator Nwoko popularity. Our supporters dey threatened with violence. Make e clear: Nobody get monopoly of violence as our supporters no go be intimidated nor cowed into supporting a former governor wey im people reject for 2023.

We call on APC National Headquarters, security agencies, and all lovers of democracy to ensure free, fair, and credible primary. To our supporters across Delta North: No be intimidated. Turn out massively and peacefully. Return Senator Ned Nwoko to the 11th Assembly.