Chief Tony Okocha, Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, has revisited the turbulent history between Rotimi Amaechi, Nyesom Wike, and himself—shedding new light on Rivers State’s political evolution and current tensions in the APC.
Okocha, who said he worked closely with both Amaechi and Wike, described himself as “uniquely positioned” to speak on their relationship. In his address, he credited Wike with playing the most crucial role in Amaechi’s 2007 emergence as governor, yet accused Wike of being “power hungry” today.
“After God, it was Wike who made Amaechi governor. That’s not fiction—it happened,” Okocha declared.
According to Chief Tony, when Amaechi was denied the PDP governorship ticket in 2007, it was Wike who rallied support, funded legal battles, and mobilized party loyalists from Rivers State to the Supreme Court.
“He sold properties, rented buses, paid hotel bills. We went from Appeal Court to Supreme Court on his back,” he recounted. “The man sacrificed all for Amaechi to be sworn in.”
He recalled that Amaechi, during his thanksgiving service after the Supreme Court victory, publicly acknowledged Wike’s role:
“After God, it was Wike.”
Chief Tony Okocha, APC Chieftain, Rivers State Chapter
Wike vs. Amaechi, Wike vs. APC
Despite their past alliance, The APC Chieftain expressed disappointment at the bitter rivalry that has since erupted between Wike and Amaechi, and by extension, within Rivers APC.
Okocha accused Wike of turning against Amaechi and later using the 2023 general elections to undermine both the APC and PDP.
He also criticized Wike’s recent claim that “Nigerians are hungry,” calling the comment disingenuous.
“You are not hungry for food. You are hungry for power. That’s the truth,” he fired back. “Eight years as Speaker. Eight as Governor. Over seven as Minister. And now you want more?”
Although Tony praised Amaechi’s political legacy, he subtly questioned the former minister’s silence and recent moves to distance himself from Wike’s contributions to his rise.
“Now they say it was the lawyer who made Amaechi governor. No. It was Wike who led the battle. We were there. We lived it,” he insisted.
Positioning himself as neutral yet factual, Chief Tony said he speaks from history and not allegiance.
“I owe nobody. I was there. I am speaking like an amicus—the friend of the court. And the truth is simple: Wike made Amaechi governor. Now Wike wants power again. And Amaechi? He won’t even talk.”
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