• Political Weight: Okowa came into the contest with deeper political structures and experience. From former SSG to Senator, Governor and PDP Vice Presidential candidate, his influence across Delta politics remains very strong compared to Ned Nwoko’s growing political network.
• Marital Controversies: Many people believe Ned allowed too much of his private life to dominate public discourse. The constant social media drama surrounding his marriage with Regina Daniels became a distraction for voters who expected more focus on governance and representation.
• State Creation Position: Ned’s support for ceding parts of Delta State to the South East for state creation did not sit well with many people in the senatorial district. Critics viewed it as a personal political ambition aimed at securing a future governorship path at the expense of Delta’s territorial interest.
• Experience & Maturity: A large number of voters saw Okowa as more experienced, calmer and politically mature for the position. Some even argued that Ned Nwoko should step back from social media controversies and build more political experience before seeking higher political authority again.