A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Joe Igbokwe, has dismissed claims that his wealth came from his association with the ruling party, saying he built his life through years of hard work and various businesses long before gaining prominence in politics.
Igbokwe, a vocal supporter of President Bola Tinubu and a regular commentator on national issues, made the disclosure in a post on his official Facebook page, where he recounted his humble beginnings and the many jobs he undertook before becoming successful.
His remarks come amid persistent criticism from some social media users who have accused him of benefiting financially from his close ties to the APC and the current administration.
Responding to such claims, Igbokwe said his life story would surprise many people who assume his wealth is linked to politics.
“Some people will see me today and think in their wildest imaginations that I am rich because I belong to APC Nigeria,” he wrote.
“My story will choke you to the marrows.”
The APC chieftain said he began supporting his family from a very young age, long before completing his education.
According to him, he started helping his mother financially while still in primary school during the 1970s by engaging in small jobs to earn money.
He said he fetched firewood for sale, carried water for customers and worked on farms where he planted yam for other people to make ends meet.
Igbokwe also revealed that he worked as a bus conductor in Lagos, a job that exposed him to the daily struggles faced by many ordinary Nigerians trying to survive in the country’s commercial capital.
After completing his university education, he ventured into business instead of relying solely on paid employment.
He disclosed that he established a restaurant business and later expanded into the sale of motor spare parts and automobiles.
According to him, he also became involved in buying and selling landed property, a business he said contributed to his financial growth over the years.
In addition to his business activities, Igbokwe noted that he is an author and has written five books.
Reflecting on his journey, he said the different stages of his life gradually led him to where he is today.
“I started a restaurant business as a graduate. I sold motor parts and I sold cars in Western Avenue in Lagos and I buy and sell lands. I am an author of five books. Today I am a fulfilled man. One thing led to another,” he said.
Although he did not provide details of the books he has written or the timeline of his business ventures, his statement was intended to counter claims that politics was the source of his financial success.
Igbokwe has remained one of the most outspoken members of the APC, frequently using social media to defend government policies and respond to critics of President Tinubu’s administration.
His comments on political and national issues often generate heated reactions online, with supporters praising his loyalty to the ruling party while critics accuse him of defending government actions regardless of public opinion.
Since the APC returned to power under President Tinubu in May 2023, several party members and government officials have faced allegations from critics that they have personally benefited from their political positions.
Many of those allegations have played out on social media, where political debates have become increasingly intense.
Igbokwe’s latest comments appear aimed at distancing his personal achievements from his political career, insisting that his success was built on years of hard work, entrepreneurship and determination.
His story also highlights the difficult experiences many Nigerians endure in pursuit of a better life.
Like many successful businesspeople in the country, he said he started with small jobs and gradually moved into larger business ventures as opportunities emerged.
The former Lagos APC spokesman has often spoken about perseverance, self-reliance and the importance of hard work, especially for young people seeking to build successful careers.
His latest revelation has sparked fresh conversations on social media, with some users commending his openness about his humble beginnings, while others maintained that public figures should also be judged by their actions and political records rather than their personal histories.
Despite the mixed reactions, Igbokwe insisted that his journey was proof that success can come through years of consistent effort and multiple business ventures, rather than political affiliation alone.
His statement adds to the ongoing public debate over the relationship between politics and personal wealth in Nigeria, where questions are often raised about how politicians and politically exposed individuals accumulate their fortunes.