In the turbulent political waters of Rivers State, one figure continues to stand tall—Chief Tony Chidugam Okocha. A blend of intellect, grassroots activism, and political strategy, he has risen from student union leadership to becoming one of the state’s most influential powerbrokers. Today, as Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State and a member of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Board, Okocha’s name resonates across the Niger Delta.
Given his early Life and Education, which was rustic but focused he was born into the Ekinigbo Clan of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Tony Okocha showed early promise as a leader. After completing his secondary education at Akpor Grammar School (1979–1984), he attended the Rivers State School of Basic Studies. He went on to study Philosophy at the University of Port Harcourt, graduating in 1994 with a Second Class Upper (Hons.) Bachelor of Arts Degree.
At UniPort, Okocha’s leadership instincts came alive. He was President of the National Union of Obio/Akpor Students, later elected President of the Students’ Union Government (SUG), and served as Speaker of the Students’ Representative Council (SRC). His ability to inspire and mobilize people would become his lifelong asset.
* On his Political Rise to prominence Okocha’s formal entry into politics came when he was appointed Executive Assistant to Hon. Nyesom Wike, then Chairman of Obio/Akpor LGA. He later worked with Sir Gabriel Toby, Deputy Governor of Rivers State under Governor Peter Odili. By 2012, under Governor Rotimi Amaechi’s administration, he rose to become Chief of Staff, replacing Wike after his appointment as a Federal Minister.
He also served as Caretaker Chairman of Obio/Akpor LGA, and co-founded the Ikwerre Youth Movement (IYM), where he became Secretary-General. These positions cemented his reputation as a grassroots mobilizer and strong voice for his community.
He pragmatically did great work in rebuilding APC in Rivers State spreading wilder consultations among various interest groups in the party building bridges across party fellowership.
In 2023, when APC in Rivers State was reeling from years of internal divisions and repeated governorship defeats, the party’s national leadership turned to Tony Okocha. Appointed Caretaker Committee Chairman, he revitalized the party, brought back estranged stakeholders and rebuilt its grassroots structures.
Okocha’s organizational skills made APC once again a political bride in Rivers State—this time aligned with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. His leadership was instrumental in mobilizing Rivers APC ahead of the 2025 local government elections, where the party reclaimed political relevance winning 20 Local Government Areas out of 23 Local Government Areas in Rivers state.
Concerning his developmental Strides at NDDC which he combines alongside party leadership, Okocha was appointed Rivers State Representative on the 7th Management NDDC Board. In that role, he championed impactful community projects which includes an ultra-modern market in Ibaa town in Emohua LGA., exquisitely constructed Teachers’ and Principal’s Quarters at Community Secondary School, Umuechem, Etche LGA., A 10-room NYSC lodge at Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Ndele Campus at Emohua LGA, A 13,000-seater Pavilion at Degema LGA Secretariat,A 10,000-gallon solar-powered water plant in Soku (Akuku-Toru LGA) to cushion the impact of cholera outbreak in the island community of Soku.
These projects, spread across different LGAs, showcased his commitment to rural development and underscored NDDC’s relevance under his watch.
As a critic not devoid of Controversies Chief Okocha’s boldness has not been without backlash. In July 2024, civic groups petitioned the Presidency accusing him of neglecting oil-producing communities. Yet, he remained undeterred, continuing with his grassroots-driven agenda.
He successfully challenged the legality of the October 5, 2024, local government elections, a case that ended with the Supreme Court nullifying the exercise. He even called for a State of Emergency in Rivers State, citing political instability—a call that sparked nationwide debate and on 18th of March 2025 President Bola Ahmed Tinubu declared STATE of Emergency in Rivers state.
Considering his engagement as Scholar and Public Intellectual personality his activities beyond politics, positions chief Okocha as a thinker and writer. He founded the Tony Okocha Quiz and Essay Competition to promote academic excellence among Rivers students. His memoir, Through the Slippery Slopes of Rivers Politics: A Personal Memoir, gives an insider’s account of the intrigues, failures, and lessons of political life in the state.
He has also lectured at a theological institute in Umuahia, demonstrating his intellectual breadth. Chief Tony Okocha is a holder of traditional titles including Eze Ruwhu Oha of Ekinigbo Clan—and a Knight of the Order of Saint Christopher (Anglican Communion), Chief Okocha blends modern political activism with deep cultural and religious roots. He is married to Mrs. Ogechi Okocha, and they are blessed with children. Outside politics, he enjoys football, traveling, reading motivational works, and writing short stories.
Chief Tony Chidugam Okocha’s life story is that of resilience, service, and influence. From the student union chambers of UniPort to the corridors of power in Rivers State, he has remained a constant—sometimes controversial, often outspoken, but always relevant.
As APC’s Chairman in Rivers and a strategic figure in the Niger Delta, his next political steps will shape not just his party’s future but also the destiny of Rivers State itself.
—Emeka Amaefula – +234(0)8111813069
