{
  "id": 9740311,
  "title": "Debt dispute deepens as Anambra releases N363.4m document on workers’ arrears",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/25/debt-dispute-deepens-as-anambra-releases-n363-4m-document-on-workers",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-25T09:32:40.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Punch Nigeria",
    "slug": "punch-nigeria",
    "url": "https://punchng.com/debt-dispute-deepens-as-anambra-releases-n363-4m-document-on-workers-arrears/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Anambra State Government has released a document detailing the approval of a second tranche of N363.381 million for outstanding salary arrears to workers, pensioners, and relatives of the defunct Anambra State Water Corporation and Environmental Protection Agency. The document, signed by the then Head of Service, Dame Theodora Okwy Igwegbe, was released on Friday in response to the ongoing dispute with ex-Governor Peter Obi regarding unpaid worker entitlements from 2014. The Anambra State New Media Office highlighted the document's significance, stating that Soludo's administration has paid both the first and second tranches of the arrears. The payment, part of an out-of-court settlement, was due for disbursement in 2026 and will be processed through the State Government Payroll System. Obi has consistently claimed that the state was not in debt when he left office in 2014, and he argues that funds attributed to his administration were concessions from the Federal Government, not debt incurred during his tenure. The dispute is part of a larger disagreement between Obi and the Soludo administration over the state's financial condition during Obi's governorship.",
  "summary": "The Anambra State Government has released a document showing the approval of N363.4m for workers’ arrears amid a dispute with ex-Governor Peter Obi. Read More: https://punchng.com/debt-dispute-deepens-as-anambra-releases-n363-4m-document-on-workers-arrears/",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Punch",
        "title": "I left Anambra debt-free, Obi insists",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/25/i-left-anambra-debt-free-obi-insists",
        "published": "2026-09-25T02:36:41.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Daily Post Nigeria",
        "title": "‘I left enough money to clear Anambra debts if any’ – Peter Obi replies Soludo",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/25/i-left-enough-money-to-clear-anambra-debts-if-any-peter-obi-replies",
        "published": "2026-09-25T05:30:50.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Premium Times",
        "title": "Peter Obi counters Anambra’s debt claims, details what he left as governor",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/25/peter-obi-counters-anambras-debt-claims-details-what-he-left-as",
        "published": "2026-09-25T06:29:04.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}