Anambra Government Accuses Peter Obi of Leaving N127 Billion Debt

The Government of Anambra State has accused former Governor Peter Obi of making false claims regarding the state's financial status upon his departure from office in 2014. Through Commissioner for Information and Value Reformation Law Mefor, the administration alleged that Obi left behind eight external loans totaling $92.35 million, which amounted to 127.4 billion naira as of June 30, 2026. The government further claimed Obi left significant liabilities, including unpaid salaries, pensions, and gratuities for retired teachers and Water Corporation staff.

Peter Obi has denied these allegations, releasing handover documents from March 17, 2014, to claim he left the state with a net positive balance of over 86 billion naira and no outstanding debts. He specifically asserted that 2.13 billion naira was left in a First Bank account for erosion control. Law Mefor disputed this, stating certified bank records show the account was for internally generated revenue and never held the cited amount, while dismissing claims of 75 billion naira in savings as phantom.

The dispute escalated when Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu, challenged Obi to withdraw from the 2027 presidential race. This demand follows a pledge by Obi to stop campaigning if evidence proved his financial claims were false. Onanuga asserted that the state government has now confronted Obi with the necessary facts and figures to trigger that withdrawal.