Former Anambra State Governor and 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has responded to the controversy surrounding the state’s reported multilateral development loans, rejecting claims that he left behind $123.77 million in debt.
Obi explained that his recent silence was due to the death of his elder brother and friend, Chief Okey Ezeibe, whom he said he had been mourning.
In a statement addressing the controversy, Obi said his attention remained focused on Nigeria’s economic challenges and the hardship being experienced by citizens.
Obi Denies Rift with Soludo
Obi also dismissed suggestions of a disagreement between him and his successor, Governor Chukwuma Soludo.
He said he had no dispute with Soludo or any other governor, stressing that he had no intention of seeking the governorship of any state again.
“I am not seeking the office of governor in any state, and I will not seek that position again, even if the Constitution is amended.”
He also appealed to governors to allow presidential candidates and other political contenders to campaign freely in their respective states, arguing that voters should ultimately be allowed to decide who they want to represent them.
Obi Disputes $123.77 Million Debt Figure
Addressing the central issue, Obi said describing the $123.77 million figure as “debt owed by Peter Obi” was inaccurate.
He stated that while he was governor of Anambra State, he did not approach any financial institution to borrow money or issue a bond on behalf of the state.
Obi cited former Director-General of the Debt Management Office (DMO), Abraham Nwankwo, whom he said declared at his farewell ceremony that Obi was the only state governor during Nwankwo’s 10-year tenure who had not approached him for a loan facility.
He further claimed that he left office in March 2014 without unpaid salaries, gratuities or pensions, and without outstanding payments to contractors or suppliers whose completed work had been verified and certified by the state government.
The controversy over Anambra State’s debt profile has continued to generate public discussion, with Obi’s latest statement offering his account of the state’s financial position at the end of his tenure.