Soludo connects deceit and mental health to one-term promises.

Professor Charles Soludo, the Governor of Anambra State, has stood by his statement suggesting that any politician claiming they will only serve a single term should undergo a mental health assessment.

During a discussion on the Prime Time program of Arise Television held on Wednesday, Soludo clarified that his comments were made in relation to ongoing conversations about zoning in Anambra politics.

He pointed out that voters have frequently rejected such promises in the past, noting how these commitments can often mislead the public despite official campaign documents indicating the opposite.

“In relation to the current debate in my state regarding zoning, I made that statement because someone is trying to disrupt that system. They present this idea that 'if you support me, I’ll only serve for this limited time.' They are fully aware they are being misleading,” Soludo commented.

He reminisced about the 2017 election when, as his predecessor sought re-election, politicians attempted to employ a similar strategy but were decisively turned down by the voters. “The same argument was presented back in 2017 when my predecessor was campaigning for a second term. They approached Anambra, trying to convince people, including several candidates still around today. The voters quickly saw through that tactic and cast their ballots decisively against it. We ended up winning all 21 local governments in that election. People were not fooled by that nonsense,” he remarked.

Furthermore, Soludo pointed out that with the existing zoning framework—where power rotates among the North, South, and Central senatorial districts—some politicians from the South are repeating the same one-term pledge as the next election approaches. “Now, as we gear up for another election, there are again individuals from my home state, where the North has just handed over to the South. The South is supposed to fulfill its term before it rotates to the Central district. Yet, some from the South senatorial zone are appearing again with their 'If you elect me, I’ll only stay for one term' pitch,” he explained.

The governor criticized these promises as both dishonest and disrespectful to the public’s discernment. “Additionally, consider the manifestos they are showcasing. It’s evident that not even two decades would suffice to address those issues. It's baffling. It feels as if they underestimate the intelligence of the people, thinking everyone is gullible.

"If anyone is making such claims, they are either intentionally lying or they might not be mentally fit to regard the citizens of Anambra State as naïve. It raises serious concerns about their mental state,” Soludo asserted.
He argued that anyone who makes those kinds of promises is either lying on purpose or not suitable for the position.