In an interview with Channels Television on Monday, Okorocha claimed the corruption charges against him are “political propaganda” meant to destroy his image.
The Imo senator said that before becoming governor, he was wealthy with properties in Abuja, the country’s capital, and that being governor rendered him “poorer.”
Before becoming a senator, Okorocha served as the governor of Imo state from 2011 to 2019.
The state administration accused the senator of stealing public funds after he left office as governor, though he denied any involvement.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) detained the former governor in April 2021 and questioned him for two days about alleged corruption.
According to documents acquired the former governor reportedly granted 12 contracts totaling N20 billion in contravention of the public procurement legislation.
Okorocha publicly stated his intention to run for president in 2023 on Monday. A few hours later, the EFCC charged him with 17 counts of corruption.
Those who claim he was broke before becoming governor are “liars,” according to the former governor, who claims he “nourished himself” while at the Imo state government house.
He claimed that the state owes him N8 billion in security votes that he did not collect.
“Those who claim I was broke are liars; that is a made-up fallacy. If you talked about God-blessed Nigerians, I raised my hand to say I’m one of them,” he said.
“Sometimes, it makes me want to sound boisterous, which is bad for me; I don’t like doing that, but I’ve recently started talking and clarifying issues.”