Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State has described campaign promises by politicians pledging to serve only one term as deceptive, insisting that those making such statements “must have a mental issue.”
Soludo made the remark on Wednesday during an interview on ARISE News, where he addressed political debates ahead of the state’s November governorship election.
“You see, I said that in the context of the debate going on in my state.
In a context where you have established a process of zoning, and somebody wants to cut short that zoning, they come with this sweetener: ‘If you give me this, I will only spend this,’” the governor said.
He recalled that similar tactics had been deployed during the 2017 elections.
“They came with that argument in 2017 when my predecessor was running for a second time. Anambra people were quick to see through the disingenuity of that promise and voted massively.
Now again, we’re in for another election, and some people are again emerging.”
The governor insisted that such pledges were both dishonest and insulting to voters.
“If you say, ‘Oh, don’t worry, if you vote for me, I will spend only one term,’ and meanwhile your manifesto is such that even if you spent 20 years you wouldn’t scratch it, you’re just playing on people’s intelligence.
“So, is anybody saying that somebody is just being deliberately deceitful? Or there must be something not working right upstairs to take the entire people of Anambra State as fools.
To think people won’t see through the deception, then the person must have a mental issue.”
On the debate over tenure length and performance, Soludo argued that sustained leadership is often required for genuine transformation.
“I must tell you that it is both. If you look at China, Singapore, Malaysia, Dubai, you see a correlation between longevity in office and ability to implement long-term transformational change.
“Now, how long is enough? That’s a debate. But if anyone who has been in office for four years and leaves, and comes back to say four years is enough, we must ask: what did you even achieve in your first four years?”
The governor also criticised politicians who make unrealistic promises.
“When the constitution allows a maximum of eight years, and somebody produces a manifesto you can’t even finish in 20 years but says, ‘Oh, in four years I’ll get it done,’ I’m sorry, something must be wrong.”
Turning to his own administration, Soludo said his government remains focused on governance rather than politics.
“Every election is a contest. We are contesting as if we are the underdog. We’re not taking anything for granted.
“As we speak, election is in November.
I’m yet to constitute my campaign council. We are focusing 100 percent on the job the people have given me inspection of projects, supervision, commissioning.”
He highlighted progress in financial management and infrastructure, pointing to fiscal discipline as a key achievement.
“When I came in and saw the state of public finance almost on a path of unsustainability, our first function was to bring back public finance in proper perspective.
With extreme prudence, clear priorities, and value for money, we put the finances back in order. Our mantra in Anambra is doing more with less.”
On borrowing, the governor maintained a cautious approach. “It’s not that there is anything intrinsically wrong with borrowing. We’ve set standards and criteria for borrowing, largely for bankable projects, preferably on concessional terms.
But I won’t borrow for consumption. I won’t borrow just to finance mundane stuff.”
Soludo concluded by reaffirming his administration’s commitment to transforming Anambra State while cautioning voters against falling for political gimmicks.
