Sources Allege Party Leadership Backed Ned Nwoko as Former Delta Governor Faces Renewed Scrutiny
Former Delta State Governor and 2023 PDP Vice Presidential candidate, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, has reportedly missed out on the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial ticket for Delta North, with multiple sources claiming the party has instead endorsed the incumbent senator, Ned Nwoko.
According to reports, the APC National Working Committee (NWC) declined to back Okowa’s alleged bid for the ticket over concerns surrounding his ongoing case with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and his role in the 2023 general elections.
Sources familiar with the development alleged that the party leadership had advised the former governor against pursuing the ticket, but that he reportedly proceeded to obtain the party’s expression of interest forms.
The reports also note a contrast within the APC, as Senator Ede Dafinone has publicly acknowledged his nomination and thanked party members and supporters, while no official announcement has emerged from Okowa’s camp regarding the Delta North ticket.
The development comes amid renewed public attention on the EFCC’s investigation into allegations of financial mismanagement during Okowa’s administration. The allegations remain under investigation, and no court has found him guilty of any offence.
Okowa recently stated that his visit to the EFCC’s Lagos office was solely to retrieve his international passport for medical travel. However, the explanation has continued to generate public debate, with some questioning why the passport was reportedly collected from Lagos rather than the Port Harcourt zonal office where it was initially seized.
As of the time of this report, neither the APC National Working Committee nor Senator Ned Nwoko has issued an official statement confirming the reported ticket decision.
