The All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council has challenged National Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate Peter Obi to explain Anambra’s finances and loans incurred during his tenure as governor.
The council’s Spokesperson, Mr Dele Alake, made the call in a statement on Monday, following disclosures by the Anambra State Government on loans contracted during Obi’s tenure.
According to the state government, Obi’s administration contracted 123.77 million dollars in external loans, with eight facilities remaining when he left office on March 17, 2014.
The state said the outstanding balance of the loans stood at about 92.35 million dollars, or N127.4 billion, as of June 30, 2026, based on the official exchange rate.
“The state also revealed that, as of when Obi left office on March 17, 2014, there were eight different external borrowings for malaria, erosion control, education and healthcare,” the council said.
It said subsequent administrations, including the current administration of Gov. Chukwuma Soludo, had continued to service the facilities.
The council said the figures should be reconciled with Obi’s previous portrayal of his administration as fiscally prudent and his claim that he left Anambra without a debt burden.
The council, however, acknowledged that borrowing was not inherently wrong if used to finance development, but questioned whether the loans delivered the claimed benefits.
It cited allegations by the state government concerning unpaid salaries and pension liabilities, including claims involving workers of the Anambra State Water Corporation.
The council also referred to a 2006 memo attributed to Obi’s then Chief of Staff, Chuks Ileogbunam, concerning the payment of N15 million monthly salaries to Water Corporation workers.
“Officials of the Water Corporation also have children who are looking to your compassionate leadership,” Ileogbunam wrote in the memo, as quoted by the council.
The council said the development raised questions about Obi’s earlier pledge to resign if it was established that workers were not paid as and when due.
It therefore challenged Obi to explain the circumstances surrounding the loans and other liabilities reportedly inherited by successive administrations.
The council also questioned Obi’s reported position on the matter, noting that he had disputed claims that he left unpaid obligations when he left office.
“Obi has said he left office without unpaid salaries, pensions, gratuities or contractor obligations and has disputed the Anambra government’s account of his financial record.”
The council further asked Obi to reconcile his earlier public claims with the latest figures released by the state government and explain his position on his 2027 presidential ambition.
“Indeed, if Peter Obi has any honour, he must resign from the 2027 presidential race forthwith, in keeping with his promise to end his run if it is proven that his administration left liabilities in Anambra,” the council said.
The council said Obi should provide Nigerians with a clear explanation of the disputed debt record and allow voters to assess the competing claims ahead of the 2027 election.
(NAN)
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