Anambra State Government and Peter Obi Clash Over Debt Claims

The Government of Anambra State and former governor Peter Obi are engaged in a public dispute over the financial legacy of Obi's tenure, which ended in March 2014. The state government alleges that Obi concealed significant liabilities in his handover notes, including $123.77 million in external loans from the World Bank and the International Development Association. Officials claim $92.35 million of these loans remained outstanding as of June 2026.

To support claims of inherited liabilities, the current administration under Governor Chukwuma Soludo released a February 2024 out-of-court settlement and a May 2025 memo. These documents detail the payment of salary arrears for workers and pensioners of the defunct Anambra State Water Corporation and the Anambra State Environmental Protection Agency, including a N363.38 million disbursement scheduled for 2026.

Peter Obi has rejected these allegations, asserting that he never borrowed money or issued bonds on behalf of the state. He argues that the cited facilities were concessionary development-support funds negotiated by the federal government rather than commercial loans. Obi maintains that he left the state with over $150 million in investments generating $10 million in annual income, a claim supported by Abia State Governor Alex Otti, who advised the conversion of those savings to dollars during Obi's term.

While the state government accuses Obi of prioritizing bank savings over public welfare and infrastructure, Obi contends that any alleged debts would have been easily offset by the yields of the savings he left behind. He has stated he will focus on his presidential ambition for the 2027 general elections rather than further public disputes.