A sacked chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, Chief Tony Okocha has narrated how the local council elections were rigged during the administration of former governor, Rotimi Amaechi, in the state.
Recall that Okocha was the Chief of Staff to Amaechi who served as governor of oil-rich Rivers State, from 2007 to 2015.
Appearing on a Channels TV programme on Thursday evening, the sacked APC chairman publicly admitted that he actively participated in election rigging and malpractices.
He added that the newly reinstated chairman of APC in the state, Emeka Beke was also involved in the irregularities.
He said, “On the issue of whether I rigged the election, I did not hide it. I should be praised as a whistleblower. If you are armed robbers yesterday, and today you came to confess that you stole something somewhere yesterday. Are you saying that the law will now take a retroactive effect? The answer is No.
“The reason why we said and we keep saying is because of what is going on as we speak. When you have an idea of a thing and you see the other person also wants to use the tactics that you already know. You will shout. That is the reason why we went to court.”
“All of us were together including Emeka Beke,” he added.
However, the party’s incumbent chairman denied ever participating in rigging.
He said: “During election, was I part of it? Have you ever heard me say rig election?”
“Are you saying that under the Amaechi government, you never participated,” Okocha responded.
Beke continued: “I did not follow you to the election. I did not partake in any election whatsoever. When you wake up and confess and you want to put me there. I am not part of that. You rigged the election and we are going to ask the police to arrest you that you rigged the election.”