“I Should Be Praised for Admitting to Rigging Elections Under Amaechi,” Says APC Rivers Factional Chairman Okocha

Tony Okocha, the factional chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, has sparked controversy with his candid admission of involvement in rigging local government elections during the tenure of former governor Rotimi Amaechi. Okocha, a loyalist of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister and former governor of Rivers State Nyesom Wike, stated that his past actions should not be met with condemnation but rather recognition as a whistleblower.

In an interview with Channels TV, Okocha asserted that he had never concealed his involvement in electoral malpractice, arguing that transparency should be valued over secrecy. “I should be praised for admitting to rigging elections; I did not hide it. I am essentially acting as a whistleblower,” he stated.

He further elaborated on the implications of his admission, suggesting that individuals who confess to past wrongdoing should not face retroactive punishment. “If you were an armed robber yesterday and today you confess that you stole something, does the law then apply retroactively? The answer is No,” he emphasized.

Okocha’s remarks come amid ongoing internal strife within the APC and highlight the complexities of political allegiances in Rivers State. His loyalty to Wike, who has often been at odds with Amaechi and the APC, adds another layer to the political dynamics in the region. Okocha indicated that his current stance is partly motivated by the need to challenge ongoing electoral practices that he believes echo the misconduct of the past.

“When you have knowledge of electoral tactics and see others trying to employ the same methods, you must speak out. That is the reason we went to court,” he explained.