Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in the 2027 election, has broken his silence on the controversy surrounding Anambra State’s external obligations, insisting that the issue should not be interpreted as a personal disagreement between him and Governor Charles Soludo.
Peter Obi, who governed Anambra State between 2006 and 2014, also appealed to governors across the country to uphold democratic principles by allowing all presidential candidates and other political contestants to campaign in their respective states without unnecessary restrictions.
The former governor made his position known in a statement published on his X handle on Friday.
The statement was also made available by Idris Zekeri, spokesman for the Peter Obi Media Office.
According to Obi, his decision to remain quiet in recent days was largely influenced by the death of Chief Okey Ezeibe, whom he described as a beloved brother and friend.
He said that although he had chosen to mourn privately, developments surrounding his tenure as governor and the issues being discussed publicly had made it necessary for him to clarify his position.
Obi appealed to Nigerians and political actors to pay greater attention to the country’s economic and social difficulties rather than allowing political controversies to dominate public discourse.
He particularly rejected suggestions that his comments about Anambra’s finances were part of a dispute with Soludo.
The former governor said he had no disagreement with the Anambra governor and maintained that he was not interested in returning to the office of governor under any circumstances.
“I wish to assure the public that I have no disagreement with my dear elder brother, Governor Soludo, or with any governor in Nigeria,” Obi stated.
He added that he was not pursuing the governorship of any state and would not seek such an office again, even if constitutional provisions were changed to permit him to do so.
Obi calls for open campaigns ahead of 2027
The former Anambra governor also used the statement to address the political environment ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Obi called on governors to support their preferred presidential candidates while simultaneously allowing competing candidates to campaign freely within their states.
He argued that political leaders should not prevent opponents from reaching voters, saying the final decision should be left to citizens through the electoral process.
According to him, candidates contesting presidential, legislative and other elective positions should be given the opportunity to present their programmes to voters without intimidation or obstruction.
He said governors had a responsibility to protect the democratic process regardless of their personal political preferences.
Obi disputes description of Anambra development funds
A significant portion of the statement dealt with the financial facilities associated with development projects in Anambra State during his administration.
Obi rejected the description of approximately US$123.77 million in multilateral development financing as “loans left by Peter Obi,” arguing that such a description failed to distinguish between approved programme funding, amounts actually accessed and outstanding balances.
He maintained that, during his time as governor, he did not personally approach a financial institution to obtain a commercial loan for the state or issue a bond on its behalf.
To support his position, Obi referred to Abraham Nwankwo, the former Director-General of the Debt Management Office (DMO).
Obi said Nwankwo had, at his farewell ceremony, described him as the only state governor during his 10 years as DMO director-general who had not approached the office for a loan facility.
He also claimed that his administration handed over Anambra State without unpaid salaries, gratuities or pensions.
According to him, contractors and suppliers who had completed and received certification for their work were also not left unpaid by his administration.
World Bank, IFAD facilities explained
Obi said the facilities currently being discussed were mainly development programmes supported by the World Bank and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).
He explained that the arrangements were secured through the Federal Government for states selected to participate in particular development programmes.
He further argued that the facilities differed from conventional commercial borrowing because they were concessionary development funds with long repayment periods, which he said could extend between 25 and 30 years.
Obi therefore urged the Anambra State Government to distinguish between the total amount approved for a programme spanning several years, the portion actually drawn by the state during his tenure and the balance outstanding when he left office.
He alleged that combining those separate figures produced the US$123.77 million figure being attributed to his administration.
Former governor questions DMO debt figures
Obi also questioned the figures being used to link the entire US$123.77 million to his tenure.
He cited DMO records which, according to him, showed that Anambra State’s external debt was approximately US$18 million when he assumed office in March 2006.
He said the figure was approximately US$30 million when he handed over power on March 17, 2014.
Obi further cited a DMO figure of about US$45.15 million as of December 31, 2014, approximately nine months after he left office.
Based on those figures, the former governor asked the state government to explain how US$123.77 million could be described as debt inherited from his administration.
He argued that the figures required clarification because the amount being described as the original facilities was substantially higher than the external debt figure he cited for March 2014.
Obi claims $150m investments were left behind
The former governor also brought attention to investments he said were established in Anambra State during his tenure.
Obi claimed that he left investments with a dollar component worth more than US$150 million when he handed over in 2014.
He said documentation relating to the investments could be verified through the banks involved.
According to him, the investments were projected to generate approximately US$10 million annually for the state.
He suggested that the income generated from such investments could have provided additional resources for government activities and potentially helped address financial obligations.
Anambra Government maintains $123.77m position
The Anambra State Government, however, has maintained its position on the figures under discussion.
The state government has said that external facilities connected to projects undertaken during Obi’s tenure amounted to approximately US$123.77 million, with about US$92.35 million still outstanding as of June 2026.
The differing positions have therefore centred on the classification of the development facilities, the amounts actually accessed, the timing of the obligations and the outstanding balances.
Obi, however, said he would not allow the issue to become a prolonged public dispute.
He stated that he would not continue trading words with anyone over his record as governor, saying his attention would now return to the broader challenges confronting Nigerians.
According to him, addressing the hardship experienced by citizens remains central to his presidential ambition ahead of the 2027 election.
He said his decision to focus on national issues was intended to shift attention away from what he described as political distractions and towards the economic and social conditions affecting Nigerians.