According to a report by Daily Post on Sunday, June 28, 2026, a chieftian of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Joe Igbokwe, has shared details of his early life struggles, insisting that his present achievements were not the result of political affiliation but years of hard work in different informal and formal ventures.
In a post on his Facebook page, Igbokwe dismissed claims suggesting that his wealth came through his association with the ruling party, saying such assumptions misrepresent his personal journey.
He explained that his background was marked by hardship, noting that he started contributing to his family’s upkeep while still in primary school in the 1970s.
According to him, he engaged in various small-scale activities such as fetching firewood for sale and carrying water for commercial purposes.
Igbokwe said, “My story will choke you to the marrows. I started feeding my mother when I was in primary school in the 70s. I fetched fire woods for sale. I fetched water for sale.”
He further revealed that he worked on farms, including yam cultivation for others, and later moved to Lagos where he served as a bus conductor.
Igbokwe added that after completing his education, he ventured into several businesses, including running a restaurant, trading in motor spare parts, and selling cars along Western Avenue in Lagos.
He also stated that he was involved in land transactions and gradually built multiple income streams over time.
The APC stalwart noted that he eventually became an author, having written five books, and described his progress as a result of consistent effort and diversification rather than political influence.
He said public perceptions linking his wealth to politics are inaccurate, stressing that his rise was shaped by persistence and entrepreneurship.
Igbokwe also acknowledged that he has faced repeated online criticism due to his support for the APC and President Bola Tinubu’s administration, but maintained that his story reflects resilience and gradual growth.
