Senator Ned Nwoko has taken a fresh swipe at the All Progressives Congress (APC), accusing political parties of demanding democratic legitimacy from Nigerians while failing to uphold democratic principles within their own ranks.
Nwoko made the remarks in a post on his X account on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, against the backdrop of his unresolved dispute with the APC over the party’s Delta North Senatorial primary, which was won by former Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa.
The senator has repeatedly challenged the outcome of the primary, alleging that he was unfairly treated in the process. His complaints, however, have not altered the party’s decision, as the APC has proceeded with Okowa and submitted his name as its candidate for the Delta North Senatorial District.
Although Nwoko did not expressly mention the APC or Okowa in his latest post, his comments appeared to target the party and its handling of the internal dispute.
“A political party cannot demand democratic legitimacy from the country while ignoring democratic principles within its own ranks,” Nwoko wrote.
He stressed the importance of internal democracy and fairness in the selection of candidates, arguing that the credibility of Nigeria’s democratic system depends largely on the conduct of political parties themselves.
“Internal democracy matters. Fair primaries matter. The voice of party members matters,” he stated.
Nwoko further argued that elections should not be viewed merely as contests for political power, but as a test of the strength and credibility of Nigeria’s political institutions.
“Elections are not only about choosing who governs Nigeria. They are also a test of whether our political institutions are strong enough to respect the people they claim to represent,” he said.
The senator maintained that political parties must demonstrate the democratic values they seek to promote nationally if they want Nigerians to retain confidence in the electoral system.
“If we want Nigerians to trust democracy, our political parties must first practise it themselves,” Nwoko stated.
