The controversy over the financial records of former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi has taken a political turn after the Presidency weighed into the dispute.
Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, questioned Obi’s record in Anambra and challenged him over his reported position on the 2027 presidential election.
The latest development followed a detailed statement from the Anambra State Government concerning loans and other financial obligations linked to previous administrations.
State Government Publishes Loan Records
The Anambra Government said records showed that Obi’s administration contracted several external loans during his time as governor.
The government put the original value of the external borrowings at approximately $123.77 million.
It said eight loans remained associated with the administration when Obi left office in March 2014.
The state further said the outstanding balance of those loans had reached about N127.4 billion by June 2026, using the official exchange rate.
What the Loans Were For
The Anambra Government said the loans were connected to projects and programmes covering areas such as health, education, erosion control and agricultural development.
It said the present administration continues to make debt-service payments.
The government stressed that borrowing itself was not necessarily the issue. Instead, it questioned Obi’s claim that he left the state without outstanding financial obligations.
Obi Disputes the Claims
Obi has strongly rejected the allegations.
He said his administration cleared historical financial obligations and maintained that he did not leave behind unpaid salaries, pensions or gratuities.
He also disputed claims surrounding an alleged ecological fund.
Obi said the money referred to was released shortly before the end of his tenure for an erosion-related emergency and was left in a bank account.
The former governor has also called for evidence to support the allegations made against his administration.
His Former Officials Prepare Response
Obi’s media aide, Idris Zekeri Jnr, said former officials who worked with Obi were preparing a detailed response.
According to him, the matter should be treated as a governance issue rather than a campaign dispute.
He said the former officials would address the claims made by the Anambra State Government.
Presidency Enters the Debate
The Presidency has nevertheless continued to question Obi’s account of his tenure.
Onanuga said the Anambra Government had presented documents and figures relating to loans, pensions, gratuities and other liabilities.
He also referred to Obi’s reported pledge to withdraw from the 2027 presidential contest if his claim about leaving Anambra without outstanding debt was disproved.
The dispute has now become a broader political argument over Obi’s record as governor and the interpretation of Anambra’s historical financial obligations.
For now, both sides continue to maintain different positions on the state’s debt and liabilities.
Obi’s former officials are expected to provide a more detailed response to the Anambra Government’s latest claims.
