Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has released what he describes as his official handover document to challenge the Governor Charles Soludo-led Anambra State Government's claims that his tenure left the state with unpaid loans and other financial liabilities. The document, dated March 17, 2024, was published on Wednesday by Dr Yinusa Tanko, the Interim National Coordinator of the Obedient Movement. It contains a summary of Anambra State's financial position as of the close of business on that date and shows a net positive balance of over ₦86 billion.
Background of the Dispute
The controversy began after the state's Commissioner for Finance, Izuchukwu Okafor, spoke on the Ndi Anambra podcast released by the state government's New Media team. Okafor said the current administration was still repaying loans taken on by previous governments, including those of Obi and former governor Willie Obiano, and that these commitments remained active despite the Soludo administration choosing not to take fresh commercial bank loans since coming to power.
According to Tribune, Obi rejected the claim and challenged the Soludo administration to produce evidence. He went as far as saying he would withdraw from the 2027 presidential race if the allegation against him could be substantiated.
Anambra Government Response
The state government did not back down. In a statement titled "Gov Peter Obi and Record of Public Debt in Anambra: Facts Beyond Propaganda and Lies," the Commissioner for Information and Value Reorientation, Law Mefor, described Obi's position as false.
Mefor said eight external loans tied to projects either executed during Obi's administration or inherited by it were still outstanding. He put their combined balance at $92.35 million, which the government said was the equivalent of ₦127.37 billion as of June 30, 2026.
The Anambra government maintained that its own records showed financial obligations from Obi's time in office had not been fully settled, contradicting the picture presented in the handover document.
Political Context
Legit.ng has previously reported on Peter Obi's political activities since he left the Labour Party and was ratified as the NDC's presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections in May 2026.
The development was reported on X here: Source: Legit.ng
