The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has dismissed growing speculation that Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo might defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC), following the recent wave of political crossovers among southern governors.
This reassurance came shortly after the defection of Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC on Tuesday — a move that sparked renewed chatter about similar realignments in the Southeast.
Speaking to reporters in Awka yesterday, the APGA’s National Publicity Secretary, Mazi Ejimofor Opara, described such fears as “baseless, inordinate, and completely unfounded”.
He said Governor Soludo remains deeply loyal to the APGA and has no intention of abandoning the platform that brought him to power.
“Governor Soludo is not only committed to APGA; he embodies the spirit and ideology of our movement,” Opara said. “There is absolutely no reason for him to defect. Anambra people should rest assured — Soludo is going nowhere.”
Opara attributed the ongoing defections from the PDP in the Southeast to long-standing internal crises. He said that while the collapse of the PDP in the region was predictable, it does not in any way affect APGA’s political dominance in Anambra State.
“The unravelling of the PDP in the Southeast did not take us by surprise. The party has been plagued by internal conflicts from top to bottom. But that has nothing to do with APGA’s stability,” he explained.
“The APGA remains the only party that has consistently maintained its grip on Anambra State. We have produced three consecutive governors — from Peter Obi to Willie Obiano and now Chukwuma Soludo — and we are confident the trend will continue.”
Opara dismissed as “wishful thinking” claims that APGA’s influence in Anambra is waning, describing such narratives as propaganda pushed by a desperate opposition.
“What you are hearing is the usual chant from a struggling opposition looking for relevance,” he said.
“Their stock-in-trade is falsehood. They rely on rumours to stay visible, but the truth will always prevail. APGA is here to stay.”
He also clarified that APGA maintains a cordial relationship with the APC at the national level, emphasising that both parties share progressive ideologies and areas of mutual interest.
According to him, this cooperation does not translate to defection or merger. “Let it be clear, the APGA and the APC may be collaborating on certain progressive fronts, but that does not mean our members are defecting. There is no need for Governor Soludo to leave the APGA for any reason,” he stated.
Turning to the upcoming November 8 governorship election in Anambra, Opara dismissed the claims by the APC governorship candidate, Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu, that he would “take over” the state for the ruling party. He described Ukachukwu’s statement as “a mere fantasy unbacked by electoral reality”.
“Ukachukwu should wake up from his daydream,” Opara said sharply. “Even within his own party, there are unresolved tensions — a cold war between his supporters and those of his running mate, Senator Uche Ekwunife, as well as disputes left over from their controversial primary election. He is merely participating, not truly contesting.”
Opara pointed to the outcome of recent by-elections as proof of APC’s weakness in Anambra, noting that Ukachukwu and his allies failed to deliver victories even in their home wards. “The mock elections were a clear signal,” he added. “They exposed the emptiness of Ukachukwu’s claims and showed that APGA’s base remains solid. Those results have already set the tone for the November 8 governorship poll.”
Reaffirming APGA’s confidence ahead of the elections, Opara said the party would continue to focus on governance, not distractions. “We will not be diverted by noise from a small fraction of the opposition. Our mission is clear — to sustain good governance in Anambra and expand APGA’s legacy of people-focused leadership,” he concluded.
