In a bold and unfiltered statement during a live interview on Arise Television, Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo of Anambra State has ignited national debate by linking political promises of a single term in office to mental health concerns and deliberate deception.
Speaking in the context of ongoing zoning debates in Anambra politics, Governor Soludo criticized politicians who pledge to serve only one term, describing such promises as dishonest and manipulative. “If anybody’s saying that, it’s either he is just being deliberately deceitful or there is probably something not working right upstairs,” Soludo stated, adding that such tactics insult the intelligence of the electorate.
Soludo referenced past elections, including the 2017 gubernatorial race, where similar pledges were made and overwhelmingly rejected by voters. He emphasized that these promises are often used as political bait, despite manifestos that would require far more time to implement than a single term allows.
“They come with this sweetener, ‘Oh, if you give me this, I will only spend this time.’ They know they were being disingenuous,” Soludo said. “You’re just playing at the people’s intelligence. You just think everybody is a fool.”
The governor also highlighted the existing zoning arrangement in Anambra, which rotates power among the North, South, and Central senatorial districts. He expressed concern that some candidates from the South are attempting to disrupt this balance by offering one-term pledges as a shortcut to power.