The Anambra State Government has publicly contested claims made by former Governor Peter Obi that his administration left office without debt, asserting that eight external loans contracted during his tenure carry an outstanding balance of ₦127.4 billion ($123.77 million) as of June 30, 2026.
The dispute unfolded after Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), maintained that he cleared over ₦35 billion in inherited arrears and left no outstanding obligations in pensions, salaries, or contractor fees upon leaving office on March 17, 2014.
Obi further challenged political opponents by promising to withdraw from the 2027 presidential race if evidence proved his administration left liabilities behind.
Responding in an official press statement titled “Gov Peter Obi and Record of Public Debt in Anambra: Facts Beyond Propaganda and Lies,” the Commissioner for Information and Value Reorientation, Dr. Law Mefor, outlined the state’s position using Debt Management Office (DMO) figures.
Key claims made by the Anambra State government
External Loan Liabilities: The state government stated that Obi contracted $123.77 million across eight external facilities during his eight-year tenure for projects spanning erosion control, health, education, and agriculture.
The current administration noted that it continues to pay hundreds of millions of Naira monthly to service these legacy obligations.
Disputed ₦2.13bn Ecological Fund: Obi previously claimed that a ₦2.13 billion balance was left untouched in a First Bank account (UNIZIK branch, Awka) earmarked specifically for the Oko/Umuchiana erosion project. The state government refuted this claim, asserting that bank statements reveal the account is a Consolidated Revenue account that never contained such an inflow or balance.
Outstanding Salary and Pension Arrears: The commissioner alleged that Obi left unfulfilled obligations to workers of the defunct Water Corporation and primary school teachers.
According to the state, while Obi verified 16 months of inherited teacher salary arrears, his administration paid five months before halting payments.
Presidency and Obi campaign exchange reactions
The public disagreement prompted involvement from the Presidency. Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, called on Obi to honour his pledge to quit the 2027 presidential race following the state government’s disclosures.
Spokespersons for Obi dismissed the Presidency’s comments, describing officials in Abuja as “meddlesome interlopers” in a state governance matter. Media aide Idris Zekeri Jr. confirmed that a dedicated team of former cabinet officials who served under Obi is compiling a comprehensive, itemised rebuttal to address each claim raised by the state government.
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