“You Can’t Win Elections from Abuja” — Aniagwu Fires Back at Aggrieved Aspirants

Delta State Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Mr. Charles Aniagwu, has defended the conduct of the All Progressives Congress (APC) primaries in Delta State, insisting that the exercises were free, fair and reflective of the wishes of party members across the state.

Speaking on News Central Television on Tuesday morning, Aniagwu dismissed allegations of manipulation and imposition raised by some aggrieved aspirants, describing many of them as “pretenders” who failed to prepare for the elections.

According to him, the primaries, which covered the 10 federal constituencies and three senatorial districts in Delta State, were conducted openly through the Option A4 voting system, making it impossible for results to be manipulated.

Aniagwu particularly faulted claims made by an aspirant from the Ndokwa/Ukwuani Federal Constituency, saying the contestant lacked grassroots presence and failed to engage party stakeholders before the election.

He said the incumbent House of Representatives member for the constituency, Hon. Nnamdi Ezechi, had already built strong support across the 30 wards in the federal constituency through consistent engagement with the people.

“Internal party elections are family affairs. You must know your party members, connect with leaders and engage the grassroots. You cannot sit in Abuja and expect people to vote for you on election day,” Aniagwu stated.

The commissioner praised Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, for allowing a level playing field during the primaries, noting that aspirants who emerged victorious were those who had maintained strong relationships with party faithful.

He also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the APC national leadership for allowing the democratic process to prevail without interference.

Aniagwu argued that many defeated aspirants relied heavily on political influence in Abuja instead of mobilising support at the grassroots.

“Some of them thought Abuja would simply coronate them. Unfortunately, the coronation venue became the wards where party members queued openly to vote,” he said.

Citing the Delta North Senatorial primary, Aniagwu said the overwhelming support recorded for former governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, against Senator Ned Nwoko clearly demonstrated the mood of party members.

He stressed that in some wards, the queues in support of Okowa discouraged opponents from even participating in the voting process.

Aniagwu further dismissed claims that party officials were instructed not to announce results at collation centres, insisting that results were announced transparently across the country.

He explained that the APC only established appeal panels for aggrieved aspirants, stressing that no directive was issued stopping returning officers from declaring results.

According to him, successful aspirants such as Senator Ede Dafinone and Senator Joel-Onowakpo Thomas won because they had maintained constant contact with party members through consultations, empowerment programmes and grassroots mobilisation.

Aniagwu maintained that the Delta APC primaries proved that political relevance could no longer be sustained through influence from Abuja alone without genuine grassroots support.