Peter Obi has rejected claims that his administration left Anambra State with huge debts and unpaid obligations. The former governor spoke during an interview on Arise TV’s Prime Time programme.
Obi said he never borrowed money or issued bonds for Anambra during his eight-year tenure. He also insisted that he left office in March 2014 without unpaid salaries, pensions or gratuities. According to him, his government also cleared payments owed to verified contractors and suppliers.
“Let me categorically state again: I, Mr. Peter Obi, did not approach any financial institution to borrow money or issue bonds,” he said.
Obi also addressed claims involving World Bank-backed funding. He explained that the Federal Government selected Anambra, Ekiti and Bauchi for concessionary support. The states reportedly earned the support because of their education performance. Obi stressed that Anambra did not obtain the funding through a commercial bank. He also said the project’s drawdown happened after he left office.
Meanwhile, Obi argued that an undrawn loan facility should not count as a debt incurred by his administration. He used a simple example to explain his position.
“Even if I had gone to bank and borrowed money, but I did not spend the money, you cannot call it debt I left,” he said.
Obi also cited former Debt Management Office boss Abraham Nwankwo. According to Obi, Nwankwo once described him as the only Nigerian governor who never visited his office seeking borrowing approval.
However, the Anambra State Government has strongly disputed Obi’s account. Through Commissioner for Information Dr Law Mefor, the government alleged that Obi left eight external loans. It put the outstanding balance at about N127.4 billion as of June 30, 2026. The state also raised questions over alleged salary arrears and other liabilities.
Obi, however, maintains that he cleared more than N35 billion in historical gratuities and arrears. He has also said he would stop campaigning if anyone proves he left Anambra with unpaid certified contractor debts.
