The war of words over Anambra’s finances has exploded. The Anambra State Government has directly disputed former Governor Peter Obi’s claim that he left N2.13 billion in ecological funds intact before leaving office in 2014, saying the account he identified never held such amount.
Commissioner for Information and Value Reformation, *Law Mefor*, in a statement titled *“Gov Peter Obi and Record of Public Debt in Anambra: Facts Beyond Propaganda and Lies”*, said the state has obtained a certified bank printout to prove its case.
*“That Account Is Not Ecological Fund Account”*
Obi had claimed he left N2.13bn 100% intact in First Bank account number *2018779464* for his successor to tackle the Oko/Umuchiana erosion crisis. He said the money was released just three months before his exit in 2014 and he refused to spend it because “government is a continuum.”
Mefor countered:
“We have obtained a certified printout of the account from inception to date. The account is an Internally Generated Revenue Consolidated Revenue Account, not an ecological fund account.”
“From 2011 when the account was opened until date, there has never been any such amount—whether as inflow or balance—in the account.”
The government then asked Obi: *“Where is the N2.13bn he claimed to have left?”*
*The Bigger Debt War*
The ecological fund dispute is part of a larger clash. The Soludo administration had earlier claimed Obi’s administration left inherited debts, including a *N2bn ecological loan, contractor liabilities and unpaid salaries, gratuities and pensions.*
Obi, the Labour Party presidential candidate in 2023 and a leading figure ahead of 2027, rejected the claims on Tuesday. He said:
– His administration liquidated over *N35bn in historical gratuities and arrears*
– At handover in 2014, *Anambra owed nothing in salaries, gratuities, pensions, or contractors*
– He left *over N75bn in savings*
And he threw a challenge: *“If anybody can establish anything to the contrary, I will stop campaigning.”*
*Anambra Govt’s Counter-Facts*
Commissioner Mefor released the government’s own figures:
*1. External Loans:* Eight external borrowings remained after Obi left office on March 17, 2014. As of *June 30, 2026, the total balance stood at N127.4 billion* at official exchange rate.
Loans listed:
– Malaria Control Booster Project
– Third National Fadama Development Project
– Health System Development Project II
– State Education Programme Investment Project
– Community and Social Development Project
– Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP)
– Value Chain Development Project
*2. Gratuities & Salaries:* Mefor said Soludo’s administration has cleared *about N22bn in inherited gratuity arrears*, but legacy arrears from Obi and earlier administrations remain.
– Retired teachers and Water Corporation staff still had arrears
– Water Corporation salary arrears lingered through Obi’s tenure and were settled under Soludo
– Obi verified 16 months salary arrears for primary school teachers but paid only 5 months
*3. Savings:* On Obi’s N75bn savings claim, Mefor said:
“We will not engage in nebulous creative accounting. If there were N75 billion in savings, as claimed, where are the records?”
The Soludo government insists its position is backed by certified bank documents and official loan records, not propaganda.
Peter Obi has yet to respond to the latest certified account printout claim.
