Ex-APC chairman admits to election rigging in Rivers State

Chief Tony Okocha, the former chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, has admitted his involvement in rigging local council elections during the administration of ex-Governor Rotimi Amaechi.

Okocha, who served as Amaechi’s Chief of Staff between 2007 and 2015, made the confession during an interview on Channels TV.

He insisted that he should be praised as a whistleblower rather than face legal consequences. “On the issue of whether I rigged the election, I did not hide it. I should be praised as a whistleblower,” Okocha said.

When questioned about the legal implications, he dismissed the idea of retroactive prosecution, comparing his case to an armed robber confessing after the fact.

Okocha also accused Emeka Beke, the newly reinstated APC chairman in the state, of participating in the same election manipulation. “All of us were together, including Emeka Beke,” he alleged.

However, Beke, who appeared alongside Okocha during the programme, denied any involvement. “During the election, was I part of it? I did not follow you to the election,” Beke stated.

He further accused Okocha of attempting to implicate him, adding, “You rigged the election, and we are going to ask the police to arrest you.”

Okocha’s public admission has sparked controversy, particularly given his claim that his confession was intended to prevent further manipulation.

“When you see the other person using tactics you already know, you will shout,” he explained.

Okocha was recently sacked as chairman of the APC Rivers Caretaker Committee and replaced by Beke, adding another layer to the ongoing political drama.