Presidency Challenges Peter Obi Over Anambra Debt Claims

Presidency Challenges Peter Obi Over Anambra Debt Claims The Presidency has waded into the ongoing dispute between former Anambra State Governor and Nigeria Democratic Congress NDC presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and the Anambra State Government over the state’s debts and financial liabilities. Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Wednesday challenged Obi to honour an earlier pledge to withdraw from the 2027 presidential race if it is established that his administration left Anambra with outstanding debts. Onanuga said Obi had previously claimed that he handed over the state without debt and had offered to stop campaigning if evidence showed otherwise. In a post on X, Onanuga recalled Obi’s position on the state’s finances, saying the former governor had “claimed he left Anambra with a clean slate of debt” and had threatened to quit the presidential race if the claim was disproved. The presidential aide said the Anambra State Government had now presented what it described as facts and figures challenging Obi’s account.

According to Onanuga, the state government alleged that Obi’s administration left obligations involving Water Corporation workers, teachers, pensions and gratuities, as well as loans. He subsequently asked whether Obi would honour his pledge and withdraw from the 2027 race. The latest confrontation followed a response from the Anambra State Government to Obi’s rejection of allegations that his administration left behind financial liabilities. The state government has disputed Obi’s account concerning an alleged ₦2 billion ecological fund liability, contractor obligations and unpaid salaries, pensions and gratuities. Anambra officials have also released details of loans they say were incurred during Obi’s tenure. One report citing the state government puts the outstanding balance on external loans at about ₦127.37 billion as of June 30, 2026. Obi has rejected the allegations and challenged the Anambra State Government to provide evidence that his administration left unpaid debts, salaries, pensions or contractor liabilities. In his response, he maintained his position on the financial record of his administration and said he would stop campaigning if the state government could substantiate its claims. The dispute has now moved beyond a state-level argument over historical finances, with the Presidency becoming directly involved as the 2027 presidential contest gathers momentum. The controversy has brought Obi’s record as Anambra governor into renewed political focus, with the Presidency using the dispute to question his assertions about the state’s finances. The claims and counterclaims remain contested, with the Anambra Government presenting records it says support its position while Obi continues to challenge the allegations. The dispute is expected to remain part of the wider political debate over the financial records and governing experience of candidates ahead of the 2027 presidential election.