Okowa clinches APC Delta North senatorial ticket, defeats Nwoko and Ali

Politics

ASABA, Nigeria (NPA) — Former Delta State governor Sen. Ifeanyi Okowa has emerged winner of the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial primary for Delta North, ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Okowa secured 113,309 votes to defeat incumbent senator Ned Nwoko, who polled 2,612 votes, and Dr. Maryam Ali, who garnered 40 votes, in a peaceful exercise conducted across the district’s nine local government areas.

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Announcing the results, APC Returning Officer, Prof. Johnbull Tonukari, said Okowa dominated the contest from the onset, maintaining strong leads in nearly all councils. He noted that Okowa recorded overwhelming victories in Ndokwa East (9,436 votes), Ika South (9,763 votes), Oshimili North (13,110 votes), and Ukwuani (12,167 votes), among others.

Tonukari described Okowa’s performance in Nwoko’s local government area as a major upset, where the former governor polled 5,480 votes against Nwoko’s 1,343 votes. He added that Okowa also won convincingly in Aniocha South (10,353 votes), Oshimili South (11,616 votes), Ika North East (26,185 votes), and Ndokwa West (15,199 votes).

Following the announcement, APC National Working Committee leader in Delta, Mr. Eugene Odo, declared Okowa winner of the primary, describing the process as peaceful, transparent, and credible.

“Sen. Ifeanyi Okowa is hereby declared winner, having scored the highest lawful votes cast in this peaceful and credible primary election,” Odo said.

Party officials and security personnel were commended for ensuring smooth coordination throughout the exercise.

In his acceptance statement, Okowa thanked party members and supporters across the Delta North senatorial district for their overwhelming show of love, support, and massive turnout, describing it as deeply humbling and inspiring.

“I do not take this support for granted, and I remain grateful to God for the grace to continue relating closely with our people. As I prepare for a return to the Senate, I remain committed to offering wise, experienced, and people-centred representation that will strengthen the voice of Delta North at the national level,” he said.