‘I Left No Liabilities Behind As Anambra Governor’—Peter Obi
Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) Peter Obi has rejected reports that he left behind debts and loans after leaving office as governor of Anambra State.
According to claims attributed to the current administration in the State, Obi, who left office in 2014 after completing two terms, accumulated liabilities to the then of ₦2 billion in ecological loans, contractor liabilities, and unpaid salaries, gratuities, and pensions. Obi denies this as “completely false.”
In a statement issued on Tuesday, he asserted that all liabilities preceding his administration were cleared off before he exited office. “We systematically liquidated historical gratuities and arrears dating back several years, amounting to over ₦35 billion,” Obi stated. He added, “At the point of handover, the state owed nothing in salaries, gratuities, or pensions, nor did we owe anything to any contractor for projects duly executed and certified.”
On the status of the ecological fund, he explained that the ₦2 billion was released barely three months before the end of his tenure for the Oko/Umuchiana erosion crisis.
He, however, said his administration did not tamper with the funds. “Despite pressure to spend the money, I refused, insisting that it should be left for my successor because government is a continuum and the funds were tied to a specific project,” Obi clarified.
According to him, the money remained fully intact until he left office and was domiciled in a First Bank Account No. 2018779464, with a balance of over ₦2.13 billion.
“It is important to stress that funds tied to specific projects or set aside for particular purposes were not even included in the over ₦75 billion in savings we left behind,” the former governor insisted.
Obi has been consistent that he ran a transparent administration and served with probity for the eight years he was governor.
While critics have continued to question his leadership, the NDC presidential candidate has maintained an evidence-based response to questions regarding his record of service.
