Chief Tony Okocha, the Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, has openly admitted to rigging local council elections during the administration of former Governor Rotimi Amaechi.
Okocha, who served as Amaechi’s Chief of Staff from 2007 to 2015, made the startling disclosure during an interview on Channels TV, claiming he should be rewarded as a “whistleblower” for coming forward with the information.
Okocha’s admission comes at a time when the political atmosphere in Rivers State is tense, following his recent removal as the APC Caretaker Committee Chairman by a Port Harcourt High Court.
Chief Emeka Beke, who was reinstated as the Rivers APC chairman, was also implicated by Okocha in the election-rigging activities.
“I did not hide it,” Okocha said in response to questions about his involvement in election malpractices. “I should be paid as a whistleblower.”
His claim was quickly countered by the interviewer, who suggested that those involved in election rigging should be jailed. Okocha dismissed this, arguing that his confession was a step toward transparency.
“If you were an armed robber yesterday and today you confess that you stole something, are you saying the law will now take retroactive effect? The answer is no,” Okocha explained.
He further clarified that his public statement was meant to expose election rigging tactics and prevent others from using similar methods in the future.
Okocha also directly accused the current Rivers APC chairman, Emeka Beke, of being involved in the rigging during Amaechi’s administration. “Yes, all of us were together, including Emeka Beke,” Okocha stated during the interview.
Beke, however, firmly denied the allegations. “I did not follow you to the election. I did not partake in any election whatsoever,” Beke said, adding that he had never admitted to rigging an election under the Amaechi government.
He warned Okocha that the police would be called to investigate his confession. “We are going to ask the police to arrest you,” Beke stated, distancing himself from Okocha’s claims.
The interview has sparked widespread reactions, with many questioning the implications of Okocha’s confession and whether any legal actions will be taken against him and others involved. The controversy also raises concerns about internal divisions within the Rivers State APC, as Okocha’s comments seem to deepen the rift between him and Beke, who now heads the party in the state.
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