Anambra State Commissioner for Information, Law Mefor, says Peter Obi did well as governor. However, he disputed claims about Obi’s financial record after leaving office. Mefor spoke during an interview with Rudolf Okonkwo on 90MinutesAfrica. He said the Soludo administration does not seek to indict the former governor.
“The intention of the Anambra State government is not to indict Peter Obi,” Mefor said.
“Peter Obi did well as governor.”
According to him, the government only wants to clarify Anambra’s financial records.
Meanwhile, Mefor dismissed claims of a rift between Soludo and Obi. He said both politicians are defending their interests.
“There is no rift between Governor Soludo and Peter Obi,” he said.
Mefor also defended Soludo’s relationship with President Bola Tinubu. He said the approach follows APGA’s longstanding policy of working with the federal government.
“Governor Soludo is just following the same policy,” Mefor said.
He recalled that Obi also worked with former President Goodluck Jonathan. However, the commissioner challenged Obi’s claim about an ecological fund. Obi reportedly said he left ₦2.13 billion in a First Bank account at UNIZIK. Mefor said the state checked the account but found no such balance.
“There was no ₦2.13 billion in that account,” he said. “We can’t see the money.”
He then challenged Peter Obi to publish the bank statement.
“If he thinks that we are lying, he should print it out and publish it,” Mefor added.
Mefor also disputed Obi’s claim that he left no loan liabilities behind. He said Obi’s administration obtained eight loans and drew down on some. According to him, successive governments inherited repayment obligations.
“Nobody is against a government taking loans,” Mefor said.
“Peter Obi took loans, and we are not saying it’s wrong.”
He added that the loans funded areas such as education, agriculture and erosion control. Mefor also cited Debt Management Office records on Anambra’s domestic debt. Still, he said Soludo could borrow when projects can generate enough revenue for repayment.
