Senator Ned Nwoko, representing the Delta North Senatorial District, has raised the alarm over alleged manipulation of the process ahead of the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election in the zone.

Nwoko is contesting alongside a former governor of the State, Ifeanyi Okowa, who defected from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC last year.

However, in a statement issued by Ekene Kerry, Director General of his Campaign Organisation on Monday morning, Nwoko said agents of the state government were hell-bent on truncating the will of the people.

The office said, despite earning the trust of the people, “the Delta State government has made it a priority to block his emergence.

“They are acting on the orders of former Governor Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, who has declared his intent to return to the Senate despite his rejection by Deltans in 2023.”

He recalled that as a sitting governor and PDP Vice Presidential candidate, “Dr Okowa lost Delta to Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 presidential election, 341,866 to 161,600.

On that same day, the people of Delta North elected Senator Ned Nwoko over both LP and APC candidates. The people have spoken before, and the people shall speak again.

“Senator Nwoko joined the APC when it became clear the PDP was drifting. He was vilified then by the same individuals who are now in 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 said, “The panel sent to conduct the primaries has been held hostage.

“State machinery has been mobilised, with state government appointees acting as returning officers at ward and LGA levels to write results in favour of Dr Okowa.

“There are threats to defy the APC National Headquarters directive to transmit all results to Abuja, out of fear of Senator Nwoko’s popularity. Our supporters are being threatened with violence.

“Let it be clear: No one has a monopoly on violence, as our supporters will not be intimidated nor cowed into supporting a former governor rejected by his people in 2023.

“We call on the APC National Headquarters, security agencies, and all lovers of democracy to ensure a free, fair, and credible primary.

“To our supporters across Delta North: Do not be intimidated. Turn out massively and peacefully. Return Senator Ned Nwoko to the 11th Assembly.”