A foundation member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Osita Okechukwu, has said the re-election of Anambra State Governor Charles Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) proves that Nigeria is not sliding into a one-party state, as alleged by some opposition figures.

Okechukwu, who is the immediate past Director-General of the Voice of Nigeria (VON), congratulated Governor Soludo on his victory and commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for ensuring a free and credible poll.

He said the outcome of the election “dispelled the falsehood” that the ruling APC or President Tinubu planned to manipulate the process in Anambra, adding that the result reflected the true will of the people.

“The victory of APGA has rubbished the lie peddled by some opposition elements and even a few APC members that Nigeria is drifting toward a one-party state under the APC-led government,” Okechukwu said in an interview with journalists in Abuja.

According to him, recent defections into the APC from opposition parties were not a sign of democratic decline but a reflection of PDP’s zoning failures and President Tinubu’s achievements within three years in office.

“Those saying Nigeria has become a de facto one-party state are speaking out of sheer ignorance of our political history. Similar fears were raised in 2004, yet the system produced leaders like Buhari and movements like Peter Obi’s Obidient group in 2023,” he added.

Okechukwu stressed that if the APC intended to make Nigeria a one-party state, it could have used its “awesome powers” to manipulate the Anambra poll.

“If APC aimed to confine Nigeria to a one-party state, it could have shoved Professor Soludo aside. The fact that it didn’t shows that democracy is thriving,” he said.

He praised President Tinubu for respecting democratic principles and allowing a level playing field, saying: “That is the hallmark of liberal democracy.”

The APC chieftain urged Soludo to be magnanimous in victory and to carry along all political stakeholders in Anambra State.

“I wish Governor Soludo well and urge him to continue serving his people with inclusiveness and vision,” Okechukwu said.