A high-stakes political and financial row has erupted between the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, and the Anambra State Government led by Governor Chukwuma Soludo over claims regarding inherited public debt.

 

The controversy gained momentum after the Anambra State Commissioner for Finance, Izuchukwu Okafor, stated during a state-sponsored podcast that the Soludo administration is still actively servicing heavy debt burdens left behind by previous governors, including Peter Obi and Willie Obiano.

 

**Peter Obi Challenges Soludo, Vows to Stop Campaigning**

 

Responding swiftly to the allegations, Peter Obi vehemently denied leaving behind unpaid debts or financial liabilities at the end of his tenure as governor. Boldly defending his record, Obi vowed to immediately withdraw from the 2027 presidential race if the state government provides verifiable proof that he left behind unpaid salaries, pensions, or certified contract liabilities.

 

**State Government Counters with $92.35M External Debt Breakdown**

 

Pushing back against Obi’s rebuttal, the Anambra State Government issued a formal statement titled *“Gov Peter Obi and Record of Public Debt in Anambra: Facts Beyond Propaganda and Lies.”*

 

Authored by the Commissioner for Information and Value Reorientation, Law Mefor, the statement labeled Obi’s claims false. According to state records compiled alongside the Debt Management Office (DMO), eight external loan facilities initiated or utilized during the Obi administration remain unpaid, carrying a total outstanding balance of **$92.35 million (approximately ₦127.37 billion)** as of June 30, 2026.

 

**Obidient Movement Publishes Official Handover Note**

 

In a bid to lay the matter to rest, Dr. Yunusa Tanko, Interim National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement worldwide, made public the official 2014 handover document submitted by Obi to his successor, Willie Obiano.

 

Dated March 17, 2014, the financial summary outlines the state’s fiscal position at the close of business on March 14, 2014:

 

* **Local Investments:** ₦27.00 billion

* **Foreign Currency Investments ($156m):** ₦26.50 billion

* **Certified State/MDAs Cash Balances:** ₦28.17 billion

* **Approved Federal Government Refunds:** ₦10.00 billion

* **Total Assets/Balances:** ₦91.67 billion

* **Less Estimated Liabilities (Salaries, Pensions, Executed Contracts):** ₦5.00 billion

* **Net Positive Balance:** **₦86.67 billion**

 

Sharing the document on social media, Tanko challenged other former governors across Nigeria to demonstrate similar transparency.

 

> "Let other Governors from 1999 till date have the courage to publish their handover notes to their successors as Peter Obi has done. Be accountable to the people," Tanko stated.

 

As claims and counter-claims continue to circulate between both camps, political observers are watching closely to see how this dispute over public records will shape arguments heading into the 2027 political season.