Peter Obi, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, has publicly disclosed a First Bank account number that he says contains over N2.13 billion in ecological funds preserved by his administration when he left office as Anambra State governor. The disclosure, made on September 15, 2026, directly addresses claims by the Anambra State Government that his tenure left behind inherited debts and unpaid liabilities.
Account Details and Project Funds
Obi identified the account as First Bank account number 2018779464, stating that the balance exceeds N2.13 billion and was left "100 per cent intact." According to Obi, the funds were released to his government approximately three months before his tenure ended to address the erosion crisis in Oko/Umuchiana. Rather than spending the money, he chose to leave it untouched for the incoming administration, citing the principle that government is a continuum and that the funds were tied to a specific project.
"Despite pressure to spend the money, I refused, insisting that it should be left for my successor because government is a continuum and the funds were tied to a specific project," Obi said in a statement shared on X.
Rejection of Debt Allegations
The disclosure was a direct response to claims by the Anambra State Government that Obi's administration handed over inherited debts, including a N2 billion ecological loan, outstanding contractor payments, and unpaid salaries, gratuities, and pensions. Obi rejected all these claims as "completely false," asserting that his government spent years clearing historical gratuity arrears and pension backlogs that dated back well before his tenure, with total payments amounting to more than N35 billion.
"At the point of handover, the state owed nothing in salaries, gratuities, or pensions, nor did we owe anything to any contractor for projects duly executed and certified," Obi stated.
Broader Financial Record and Challenge
Obi also highlighted his administration's broader financial record, saying it left behind over N75 billion in savings. He clarified that the N2.13 billion ecological fund was excluded from this figure, as it was ring-fenced for a particular purpose. "It is important to stress that funds tied to specific projects or set aside for particular purposes were not even included in the over N75 billion in savings we left behind," he said.
He issued a direct challenge to anyone disputing his account, adding: "If anybody can establish anything to the contrary, I will stop campaigning."
This development follows earlier reports that the World Bank approved a $500 million credit facility for Nigeria to support agricultural development under a new programme aimed at improving productivity, strengthening value chains, and enhancing food security. The funding, provided through the International Development Association, will finance the Nigeria Sustainable Agricultural Value Chains for Growth Project (AGROW), designed to boost smallholder farmers' productivity, improve market linkages, and create jobs across the country.
