Former Anambra State Governor and presidential candidate Peter Obi has vigorously defended his fiscal record, challenging critics to name any other Nigerian governor in history who left behind over $150 million in state funds upon exiting office.

 

Speaking in a recent interview, Obi presented physical copies of his official handover notes and bank statements, urging relevant financial institutions and the public to independently verify the figures.

 

### "Anambra Would Have Earned $20 Million Annually"

 

Obi detailed how his financial strategy was structured to secure the state's economic future long after his tenure ended, asserting that subsequent administrations failed to maximize the financial foundation he laid.

 

> *"No other state in Nigeria—and I repeat, show me any governor since the inception of this country who left over $150 million in funds,"* Obi stated. *"I left it in a financial standing that if they followed what I left, today they would have paid off the foreign debt and had at least $240 million left, earning a minimum of $20 million for the state every year."*

 

### Zero Federal Borrowing During Eight-Year Tenure

 

Highlighting his fiscal discipline, Obi revealed that he never approached the Federal Government or the Debt Management Office (DMO) to secure loans while in office—a claim he says was publicly corroborated by former DMO Director-General Abraham Nwankwo.

 

According to Obi, the state's exemplary performance in education earned it direct, concessionary development support from the World Bank and the Federal Government alongside Ekiti and Bauchi states.

 

> *"The then-DG of the Debt Management Office, Abraham Nwankwo... announced to everybody at that party that the reason he made me chairman was because I was the only governor in Nigeria who never came to his office for approval to borrow money,"* Obi explained.

 

### "Publish the Bank Statements": Obi Challenges Critics to Verify Handover Notes

 

Holding up his original handover document during the interview, Obi emphasized that every claim regarding cash reserves, investments, and foreign currency holdings was backed by verifiable bank statements from major Nigerian banks.

 

* **Foreign Currency Reserves:** Backed by statements showing exact bank deposits and bond issuances totaling over $150 million.

* **Federal Refunds:** Clear accounting of expected contractor refunds set aside for future state projects.

* **Open Audit Invitation:** Calling on journalists, the World Bank office in Abuja, and headquarters of the involved banks to publish and verify the records.

 

### Praying for Soludo Amid Political Speculation

 

Addressing speculation that the renewed controversy over his record is tied to his political ambitions for the 2027 presidential election, Obi insisted he holds no grudge against the current Anambra State administration.

 

> *"I don’t have any issue with the government of Anambra State,"* Obi remarked. *"All I do every day is pray for Governor Soludo and other governors to concentrate on their jobs, because Nigeria is going through a very difficult situation right now."*

 

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*Watch clips from the full interview below:*