Senator Ned Nwoko has said he is awaiting the official declaration of the winner of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Delta North Senatorial primary by the party’s National Working Committee (NWC), amid ongoing controversy surrounding the exercise.
The lawmaker, who currently represents Delta North in the Senate, expressed confidence that the outcome would ultimately favour him, maintaining that his return to the National Assembly in 2027 remains a key political objective.
The delay in announcing the authentic winner of the primary has heightened political tension within the APC in Delta North, with competing camps continuing to assert victory while party authorities conclude their review of the disputed process.
In a brief reaction, Nwoko stated that the party leadership was carrying out its constitutional responsibilities and that he was prepared to await the outcome of the NWC’s deliberations and investigations.
Despite the uncertainty, party insiders suggest that the senator may currently hold a strategic advantage in the contest over former Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, who is also reportedly laying claim to victory.
According to sources familiar with internal APC discussions, conversations among influential stakeholders have increasingly centred on identifying the candidate best positioned to strengthen the party’s electoral prospects ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Observers within the party point to Nwoko’s incumbency as one of the major factors working in his favour. As the sitting senator for Delta North, he is viewed by many as possessing an established political structure, widespread visibility, and an active legislative platform that could be advantageous to the party.
“Many stakeholders believe that replacing a serving senator who remains politically relevant and electorally active could create avoidable challenges for the party,” a source close to the deliberations disclosed.
Beyond incumbency, Nwoko is also said to enjoy goodwill among sections of the party leadership and key stakeholders due to his sustained advocacy for the creation of Anioma State, a campaign that has significantly shaped his political identity across Delta North.
Party sources argue that the Anioma State movement has elevated Nwoko’s profile beyond partisan politics and strengthened his connection with many constituents who view the agitation as a defining regional cause.
Another factor reportedly influencing opinion within the party is Nwoko’s longstanding association with the APC prior to the recent influx of defectors from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Some party loyalists believe that recognising members who remained committed to the APC during challenging periods would send a positive signal to grassroots supporters and reinforce the value of party loyalty.
Within these circles, concerns have also emerged over the possibility of established APC figures being displaced shortly after the arrival of high-profile defectors.
While Okowa remains one of Delta State’s most experienced political figures, some stakeholders reportedly believe that his recent entry into the APC may not outweigh the advantages enjoyed by an incumbent senator who has built influence within the party structure over time.
“There is a distinction between joining a political party and building political capital within it. Many stakeholders at the national level understand that reality,” another source familiar with the situation said.
Insiders further point to Nwoko’s national visibility through legislative engagements, constituency projects, and policy advocacy, which they say have kept him prominent in political discourse over the last three years.
For many party members monitoring developments, the central argument remains that replacing a serving senator with a relatively new entrant into the APC could generate internal divisions at a time when the party is seeking to consolidate its growing influence in Delta State.
Sources maintain that should the APC leadership and other critical stakeholders weigh factors such as incumbency, party loyalty, grassroots appeal, legislative relevance, and political visibility, Nwoko may emerge with a significant advantage.
Although the contest remains unresolved pending an official pronouncement by the National Working Committee, political observers within the party believe the senator currently occupies a favourable position as the APC moves toward a final decision on the disputed primary.
For now, attention remains focused on the NWC, whose verdict is expected to determine the next phase of the unfolding political contest in Delta North.
