The Anambra State Government has formally called on voters to reject Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), in the 2027 general elections. The government accused Obi of working to undermine the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) for over a decade, branding him a "betrayal" in a graphic posted on its official X account on Monday.
The post, shared via the Office of New Media to Governor Charles Soludo, urged APGA supporters to defend their party from what it described as a sustained campaign of destruction. The graphic read: "A betrayal alert for Ndi APGA. Since 2014, Obi has had one mission: to destroy the party that made him. In 2015, while President Tinubu stood with APGA, Obi backed the opposition to bury us. Do not be deceived by a man who abandoned his own house. Anambra is APGA. Ndi APGA, defend your home, resist the NDC."
Soludo's Administration Aligns with Tinubu Ahead of 2027
The government's position reflects a broader political alignment between Governor Soludo and President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 elections. Soludo publicly declared his support for Tinubu after meeting him at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, citing a 22-year friendship and his approval of the president's economic reforms.
"President Tinubu is my friend; he has been my friend for 22 years now and counting, so you don't deny your friend. I support him, and I'm impressed by the bold steps he has taken, particularly in the economy and structural reforms. We're taking the right steps, and we need to stay the course," Soludo said at the time.
APGA formalised this position in July when the party's National Executive Committee resolved to endorse Tinubu's re-election bid. National Publicity Secretary Ejimofor Opara said the decision followed extensive internal consultations and reflected what the party described as the overall interest of the country.
Obi Denies Debt Allegations in Public Dispute with Soludo
The government's statement came against the backdrop of a recent public dispute between Soludo and Obi over financial obligations linked to projects carried out during Obi's time as Anambra governor. Obi pushed back against characterisations of the liabilities as personal debts he left behind, arguing that the funds in question were World Bank and International Fund for Agricultural Development programmes accessed by the state through arrangements with the Federal Government.
Obi said figures being referenced conflated the amounts approved, amounts drawn, and balances outstanding at the time he left office, and that combining those figures and labelling them "loans left by Peter Obi" was "an incorrect application of public-sector accounting." He added that he did not personally approach any financial institution to borrow on behalf of the state.
As of the time this report was filed, neither Obi nor any member of his team had responded to the state government's betrayal claim.
Debt Figures and Outstanding Balances Under Scrutiny
Legit.ng also reported that Peter Obi publicly addressed two controversies: an alleged falling-out with Governor Soludo and debt claims tied to his time as Anambra governor. The Anambra State Government said eight external borrowings linked to Obi's tenure had $92.35m outstanding as of June 30, 2026. Obi questioned how the $123.77m figure was calculated, citing Debt Management Office records that showed far lower figures when he left office in 2014.
The dispute highlights the ongoing political tensions in Anambra State as the 2027 election cycle intensifies. The state government's call for voters to reject Obi, combined with APGA's formal endorsement of Tinubu, sets the stage for a contentious political season in the state.
