Obi insists he left Anambra debt-free, rejects Soludo govt claims

Nigerian presidential candidate Peter Obi has vehemently denied claims made by the Anambra State Government that his administration left behind a significant debt and other liabilities. Speaking on Arise TV’s *Prime Time* programme, Obi stated that he personally did not borrow money or issue bonds on behalf of Anambra State during his eight-year tenure as governor, which ended in March 2014.

He emphasized that his administration did not leave behind any outstanding salaries, gratuities, pensions, or contractor payments, and that all executed projects were certified and verified. Obi further clarified that the loans attributed to his administration were not funds he personally obtained from financial institutions, but rather support provided by the Federal Government through multilateral aid programs, including the World Bank.

He argued that undrawn funds under loan facilities should not be considered as debt incurred by the government, citing an example of a bank loan where only a portion was drawn down. Obi’s defense was bolstered by a statement from former Debt Management Office Director-General Abraham Nwankwo, who praised Obi for never seeking approval to borrow money.

The controversy stems from recent allegations by the Anambra State Government, which claims that Obi left behind eight external loans amounting to approximately N127.4 billion, along with salary arrears, ecological fund account discrepancies, and contractor obligations.