“The Day I Left Office, Anambra Was Not Owing Workers’ – Peter Obi

Former Anambra State Governor and presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has said he left office without the state owing workers, pensioners, contractors or suppliers whose payments had become due.

Obi made the claim during an interview on Arise TV on Thursday while responding to questions about loans and other liabilities reportedly associated with his tenure as governor.

He said he did not obtain loans from financial institutions or issue bonds on behalf of the Anambra State Government during his eight years in office.

Obi maintained that all salaries, gratuities and pensions due to workers and other beneficiaries had been paid by the time he handed over power.

He also said the state government had settled its obligations to contractors and suppliers who had completed their assignments and whose work had been properly verified and certified.

The former governor explained that projects that had not been completed could not be regarded as outstanding debts because payment was subject to the terms of the relevant contracts and the completion, certification and verification of the work.

Addressing the disagreement between his administration and the current Anambra State Government over loans and liabilities linked to his tenure, Obi said he did not view the issue as a personal disagreement with Governor Chukwuma Soludo.

He described Soludo as the governor of his state and said he respected him.

Obi also called on state governors to allow presidential candidates to campaign freely across the country ahead of the 2027 general election.

He said Nigerians should be given the opportunity to choose their preferred candidates without unnecessary restrictions.

The former governor further urged political leaders to concentrate on issues affecting citizens, particularly the economic difficulties facing Nigerians, rather than engaging in distractions.