Delta South APC senatorial primary election results, daylight robbery, rape of democracy – Witness tells court

Court Hears Allegations of Electoral Fraud in APC Primary for Delta South Senatorial District

ABUJA — The Federal High Court in Abuja has been presented with serious allegations regarding the results of the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial primary election held on May 18, 2026. Prince Michael Diden, a contestant in the primary, described the announced outcomes as a “daylight robbery” that undermined democratic principles.

During the proceedings on Thursday, Diden asserted that the results compiled from the wards and eight local government areas of the Delta South senatorial district did not accurately represent the election results. He challenged the declaration of Senator Joel Onowakpo Thomas as the primary winner, claiming a conspiracy among the senator, the APC, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to falsify results in favor of Onowakpo.

Diden, represented by Bankole Joel Akomolafe, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), testified that he believed he won the primary by a significant margin but was deprived of victory during the result collation process. He stated that he had agents monitoring results in each ward, who supplied him with accurate vote counts.

The former chairman of the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC) alleged that manipulation occurred at the collation center, where APC officials reportedly falsified results. Diden urged the court to reverse the disputed results and recognize his claim to the candidacy based on ward-level results.

During cross-examination by Prince Lukman Fagbemi, counsel for Onowakpo, Diden acknowledged that the APC conducted the election according to established protocols. However, he denied ever seeing what he referred to as the official election results prepared by the APC Electoral Committee at the conclusion of the primary. Diden suggested that two video recordings related to the election would demonstrate the irregularities he alleged.

Habeeb Lawal, representing the APC, and Anosie Obi, representing INEC, also participated in cross-examining Diden.

Justice Mohammed Garba Umar admitted several exhibits submitted by both parties. Following the conclusion of the plaintiff’s case, counsel for Onowakpo requested an adjournment until July 20 to present the defense’s case. Justice Umar agreed and adjourned the matter accordingly.

In the suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1094/2026, Diden contends that he received the highest number of votes in the primary election and should be declared the APC candidate for the Delta South Senatorial District in the upcoming January 2027 election. He seeks a court order for INEC to recognize him as the APC nominee based on his claim of receiving the majority of votes.

Diden’s legal team has accused the defendants of manipulating the electoral process and disseminating false results to the public, which misled constituents and party members alike.

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