The Presidency has renewed its criticism of former Anambra State Governor and Nigeria Democratic Congress presidential candidate Peter Obi over the ongoing dispute about the state’s finances during his time in office.
Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, made the comments in a post on his verified X account on Wednesday.
The dispute follows claims by the Anambra State Government that Obi’s administration left behind outstanding loans and other financial liabilities.
Onanuga Questions Obi’s Record
Onanuga questioned how Obi would manage the finances of Nigeria if elected president, citing the spending and borrowing attributed to his administration in Anambra.
He argued that the former governor’s record in the state should be examined as part of the wider debate over his presidential ambitions.
The presidential aide also accused Obi of presenting what he described as an overly favourable account of his administration’s record.
Anambra Government Releases Debt Figures
The controversy intensified after the Anambra State Government released details of loans it said were associated with Obi’s administration.
According to the state government, Obi’s eight-year administration contracted about $123.77 million in external loans.
It also said eight external borrowings remained outstanding when Obi left office on March 17, 2014.
The government said the outstanding balance of those loans stood at about N127.4 billion as of June 30, 2026, based on the official exchange rate.
The figures were attributed to records from the Debt Management Office.
Government Cites Unpaid Liabilities
The Anambra State Government also alleged that outstanding obligations included salaries, pensions and gratuities involving some former workers.
It said the current administration had continued to settle some of the liabilities.
The government further disputed Obi’s account concerning an alleged ecological fund and an amount said to have been left in a First Bank account.
Obi Rejects the Allegations
Obi has rejected the allegations.
According to reports, he said his administration cleared more than N35 billion in historical gratuities and arrears.
He also maintained that he left office without outstanding salaries, pensions, gratuities or debts to contractors for completed and certified projects.
Obi also disputed the claim concerning the ecological fund, saying the money was released shortly before he left office for an erosion emergency and remained untouched in an account.
Obi’s Camp Preparing Response
Obi’s media aide, Idris Zekeri Jnr, said a team of former officials who served under Obi was preparing a detailed response to the claims made by the Anambra State Government.
He described the intervention by the Presidency as unnecessary and said Obi’s team would focus on responding to the substantive issues raised by the state government.
The ongoing dispute has therefore produced competing accounts from the Anambra State Government and Obi’s camp.
Presidency Links Dispute to 2027
Onanuga has also referred to Obi’s reported statement that he would withdraw from the 2027 presidential race if evidence showed that he left outstanding debts.
The presidential aide asked whether Obi would honour that pledge following the latest claims released by the Anambra State Government.
However, the claims and counterclaims remain part of an ongoing political and financial dispute.
Further clarification is expected from Obi’s former officials as they prepare their response to the figures released by the Anambra State Government.
Source: Reports from The PUNCH, THISDAY and other Nigerian news outlets.
