Osita Okechukwu says Soludo victory strengthens democracy and proves Nigeria isn’t drifting toward a one-party state under President Tinubu’s leadership.
A founding member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Osita Okechukwu, has declared that the recent re-election of Anambra State Governor, Professor Charles Soludo, is a strong indication that democracy in Nigeria is thriving and far from collapsing into a one-party system.
According to him, the Soludo victory strengthens democracy and proves that Nigerians still exercise free political choice under the current administration.
Speaking to journalists in Abuja on Sunday, Okechukwu congratulated Governor Soludo for his electoral success and commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for ensuring that the election process in Anambra was fair, transparent, and devoid of interference.
He said the outcome demonstrated that President Tinubu values the integrity of the ballot and remains committed to protecting democratic principles.
“The Soludo victory strengthens democracy,” Okechukwu emphasized. “If Nigeria were truly sliding into a one-party state as alleged by some critics, the APC could have used its power to subvert the process. But the results clearly show that the people’s will prevailed.”
Okechukwu argued that the Anambra election result, which saw the ruling APC lose to the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), has put to rest fears of political dominance by one party.
He noted that the Soludo victory strengthens democracy because it reassures Nigerians that opposition parties can still win elections in a system governed by fairness.
He added that mass defections into the APC from opposition parties were being wrongly interpreted as a deliberate attempt to destroy multiparty democracy.
In his words, these movements simply reflect growing faith in President Tinubu’s leadership and achievements within his first three years in office.
“People are joining the APC not out of fear,” he said, “but because they recognize competence, stability, and credible governance.”
The former Director-General of the Voice of Nigeria (VON) attributed the weakening of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to its failure to uphold zoning and rotational agreements—long-standing traditions that had maintained political balance since 1999.
He described this as a self-inflicted wound that allowed the APC to consolidate power through national inclusiveness and progressive leadership.
“The PDP once boasted it would rule for 60 years,” Okechukwu recalled.
“But Nigerians rejected them due to corruption, arrogance, and maladministration. It took the courage of President Tinubu and the late President Muhammadu Buhari to unite the opposition and restore national direction.”
According to Okechukwu, those accusing the APC of steering Nigeria toward a one-party system are simply ignoring the lessons of history.
“We heard the same fears back in 2004,” he said. “Did anyone foresee Buhari’s emergence to challenge Obasanjo’s third term plot or the rise of Peter Obi’s movement in 2023? Our democracy always surprises us. That’s why the Soludo victory strengthens democracy—because it reflects the power of unpredictability in free elections.”
Okechukwu praised President Tinubu for allowing a free and competitive electoral process, describing it as evidence of genuine democratic maturity.
“By ensuring a level playing field in Anambra, the President has shown he respects the people’s choice,” he said.
“This is what separates true progressives from those who treat democracy as a personal possession.”
He also highlighted the President’s track record of supporting independent institutions like the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which he said has improved public confidence in elections nationwide.
The Soludo victory strengthens democracy, he reiterated, because it shows that the APC government values competition and accountability.
Okechukwu congratulated Governor Soludo once again, urging him to govern inclusively and extend a hand of friendship to his political opponents.
He encouraged the governor to focus on delivering development, strengthening local institutions, and promoting social harmony across Anambra State.
“Victory should never divide the people,” he said. “Professor Soludo must continue to build a state that works for all citizens, regardless of party affiliation. That is how to make democracy meaningful beyond the ballot box.”
He also advised the opposition to act responsibly and avoid spreading fear or misinformation about Nigeria’s democratic direction.
“Our democracy needs constructive opposition, not bitterness or propaganda,” he noted. “Healthy debate is what drives progress, not baseless accusations.”
Drawing from Nigeria’s past, Okechukwu reminded Nigerians that defections and alliances are not new to the political landscape.
“Even before APC came to power, opposition figures crossed parties in pursuit of shared ideals,” he said. “Democracy is about freedom of association, and that freedom must be protected.”
He maintained that performance—not propaganda—is the real foundation of political success.
“Nigerians will continue to choose leaders who deliver results,” he stated. “That’s why the Soludo victory strengthens democracy: it shows that voters reward competence and credibility, not party labels.”
Okechukwu dismissed what he called “false alarms” from sections of the opposition, insisting that the APC government has no agenda to turn Nigeria into a one-party state.
Instead, he said, the administration remains focused on improving governance, stabilizing the economy, and restoring hope to citizens.
“Those who spread fear are the same people who mismanaged the country in the past,” he asserted.
“They have no moral standing to question a government that has allowed fair elections to thrive.”
In his closing remarks, Okechukwu reaffirmed that Nigeria’s democracy remains healthy, resilient, and inclusive. He called on political leaders across all parties to prioritize national interest above personal ambition.
“The real victory,” he said, “belongs to the Nigerian people whose votes continue to shape the nation’s future.”
He added that the Soludo victory strengthens democracy not only because it highlights electoral integrity but also because it reminds leaders that political power must always flow from the will of the people.
He thanked President Tinubu for maintaining neutrality in the electoral process and described his conduct as “a shining example of democratic tolerance.”
“In the end,” Okechukwu concluded, “the Anambra election was not just a victory for Soludo or APGA—it was a victory for democracy itself. Nigeria remains a land of choices, not coercion, and that is what makes our democracy strong.”
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