Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has insisted that he left Anambra State without outstanding debts when he ended his eight-year tenure as governor in 2014.
Obi made the claim on Thursday during an interview on Arise TV’s Prime Time, while responding to allegations by the Anambra State Government that his administration left loans and other financial liabilities for successive governments to service.
Obi Explains Loan Controversy
Obi said he did not approach any financial institution to borrow money or issue bonds on behalf of the state during his tenure.
“Let me categorically state again: I, Mr Peter Obi, did not approach any financial institution to borrow money or issue bonds on behalf of Anambra State in the eight years I was in government,” he said.
He also maintained that the state was not owing salaries, pensions, gratuities or contractors whose projects had been completed, certified and verified when he left office.
On the loans being attributed to his administration, Obi said some of the funding arrangements involved Federal Government-supported multilateral financing and argued that undrawn funds should not be regarded as debt incurred by his administration.
He specifically cited the World Bank-backed State Education Programme Investment Project (SEPIP), saying its drawdown occurred after he had left office.
Anambra Government Disagrees
The Anambra State Government has disputed Obi’s position, saying his administration left eight external loan obligations.
The state government said the outstanding balance stood at about N127.4 billion as of June 30, 2026, based on figures it attributed to the Debt Management Office.
Obi, however, rejected the claim and maintained that he left the state in a strong financial position.
He also cited former Debt Management Office Director-General Abraham Nwankwo, who he said had publicly described him as the only governor who did not visit the DMO for approval to borrow money during Nwankwo’s tenure.
The dispute over Anambra’s finances has continued to feature prominently in the political debate ahead of the 2027 presidential election.