Elumelu Flogs Okolie at APC House of Reps Primaries as Asaba People Vote Against Their Brother

The political career of Hon. Ngozi Okolie may have suffered its biggest blow yet after former Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Ndudi Elumelu, crushed him mercilessly in the APC House of Representatives primaries in Oshimili South Local Government Area of Delta State.

For many political observers, the defeat was not just a loss, it was a complete political humiliation.

Okolie, who rode into the National Assembly in 2023 on the back of the Obidient Movement and the popularity of Peter Obi, has now discovered the bitter reality of grassroots politics without the emotional wave that swept many first-time candidates into office during the last general elections.

Ironically, the same Ndudi Elumelu whom Okolie defeated in the 2023 general election has now returned to politically bury his second-term ambition within the APC structure.

What happened at the primaries was not merely a contest; it was a brutal statement of political relevance and grassroots dominance.

Even more embarrassing for Okolie was the shocking rejection he suffered from his own people in Oshimili South Local Government Area.

For years, political stakeholders from the Oshimili axis had complained about Aniocha’s dominance in producing House of Representatives members and demanded power shift in representation.

Yet, when the opportunity finally came to consolidate one of their own, party members overwhelmingly abandoned Okolie and lined up behind Elumelu.

Political analysts say the implications could be devastating for the Oshimili bloc, as this internal betrayal may delay for many more years the chances of another Oshimili-born politician occupying the Green Chamber seat.

The primary election itself was conducted peacefully across monitored wards in Asaba, but beneath the calm atmosphere was a ruthless political massacre unfolding at the ballot.

Reports from Wards 5, 9, and 11 showed massive voter turnout by accredited APC members, all of whom appeared determined to make a decisive statement. In virtually every ward, Elumelu dominated with unbelievable margins, while Okolie struggled to gain traction.

The most shocking result came from Ward 11, where party officials disclosed that Elumelu scored over 1,000 votes while Okolie recorded zero votes, a result many described as unprecedented and politically damaging.

Zero votes in a major ward within his own local government has now raised serious questions about Okolie’s political structure, acceptability, and performance as a sitting federal lawmaker.

Several APC stakeholders privately accused the embattled lawmaker of poor representation, weak grassroots engagement, and relying too heavily on the temporary emotional momentum created by the Obidient movement in 2023 rather than building enduring political relationships.

Speaking after the collation process in Ward 9, Returning Officer Engr. Kingsley Adigwu Oniawa confirmed that the election was transparent and peaceful. “There was no issue.

The process was peaceful and calm. I counted the votes accordingly and the outcome was peaceful,” he stated.

But beyond the peaceful conduct was a deeper political message: APC members appeared determined to restore Elumelu’s dominance in the constituency.

Hon. Sunday Obi, Executive Assistant to the Governor on Community Development, revealed that party members turned out massively after extensive mobilization efforts.

“They all turned out. They were duly informed and the voters came out in their numbers,” he said.

According to him, Elumelu secured over 1,800 votes in Ward 9 alone, a figure that further exposed the scale of Okolie’s collapse within the APC rank and file.

Party leaders also linked the growing APC strength in the area to the influence and leadership style of Sheriff Oborevwori, whom they praised for maintaining political stability and expanding the party’s grassroots appeal.

Ward 9 APC Chairman Ngoziame Baze commended the orderly nature of the exercise, stressing that only verified APC members participated in the voting process.

“Anybody who had no APC membership card was not allowed to vote,” he explained.

Meanwhile, party stakeholder George Nwanem Ogoliegbunam described Elumelu’s victory in Ward 11 as a clear reflection of overwhelming support for the former lawmaker.

“Ndudi Elumelu won the primaries in Ward 11. He scored over a thousand votes, while Ngozi Okolie got zero votes,” he declared.

Former Oshimili South Chairman and Executive Assistant to the Governor on Political Matters, Hon. Izuka Okolo, also described the turnout as highly impressive and declared that the party was now fully energized for the general elections.

For many observers, however, the biggest takeaway from the primaries is the dramatic collapse of Ngozi Okolie’s political influence barely one term after entering the National Assembly.

What was once celebrated as an “Obidient revolution victory” in 2023 has now crashed into the hard wall of traditional grassroots politics, party structure, and local loyalty.

And in Delta politics, one message appears louder than ever: political waves may win elections, but structures sustain power.