Anambra: No rift with Soludo, I left office debt-free – Peter Obi

Former Anambra state governor, Peter Obi, has dismissed speculation of a disagreement between him and his successor, Governor Chukwuma Soludo, amid the ongoing controversy over external borrowings linked to projects executed during his administration.

Obi also said he would not seek to become governor of any state again, even if the Nigerian Constitution was amended to allow him to return to the office.

The former governor made the clarification on Friday while responding to recent public discussions surrounding Anambra’s debt profile and the financial obligations associated with development projects implemented during his tenure.

Obi said he had initially remained silent because he was mourning his late elder brother and friend, Chief Okey Ezeibe.

Obi denies rift with Soludo

The former governor described Soludo as his “dear elder brother” and said he had no disagreement with him or any other governor in the country.

“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 said.

He also ruled out any plan to return to the governorship, stressing that his political activities should not be interpreted as an attempt to seek the position again.

“I am not seeking the office of governor in any state, and I will not seek that position again, even if the Constitution is amended,” he stated.

Obi further appealed to governors to allow political candidates to campaign freely in their states irrespective of their political affiliations.

He said governors could support their preferred presidential candidates while permitting other candidates to campaign without interruption.

“Ultimately, voters should be allowed to determine whom they wish to serve them,” he said.

Obi challenges Anambra debt figures

The statement came amid a disagreement between the Anambra State Government and Obi over external borrowings associated with projects undertaken during his administration.

The state government said eight external borrowing facilities linked to projects during Obi’s tenure had a combined contracted value of $123.77m, with $92.35m outstanding as of June 30, 2026, based on figures from the Debt Management Office.

Obi rejected the description of the facilities as “debt owed by Peter Obi”, arguing that the figures represented different stages of development financing and should not be combined and attributed to him.

According to him, the amount approved, the amount actually drawn and the outstanding balance were separate figures that needed to be distinguished.

“The government has combined these distinct categories, added them together, and described the resulting US$123.77 million as ‘loans left by Peter Obi.’ That is an incorrect application of public-sector accounting,” he argued.

Obi said the facilities were primarily World Bank and International Fund for Agricultural Development programmes negotiated by the Federal Government and accessed by participating states through subsidiary arrangements.

‘I did not borrow on behalf of Anambra’

Obi also maintained that he did not personally approach any financial institution to borrow money or issue a bond on behalf of Anambra State while serving as governor.

“Regarding the multilateral funding inaccurately described as ‘debt owed by Peter Obi’ in Anambra State, I wish to state unequivocally, as Governor of Anambra State, I did not approach any financial institution to borrow funds or issue a bond on behalf of the state,” he said.

He recalled that former DMO Director-General, Abraham Nwankwo, had praised his borrowing record at his farewell ceremony.

Obi also said his administration left office without unpaid salaries, gratuities or pensions, adding that the state did not owe contractors or suppliers whose completed work had been verified and certified.

Former governor cites DMO records

Obi further questioned the $123.77m figure, citing DMO records which, according to him, showed that Anambra’s external debt stood at about $18m when he assumed office in March 2006 and approximately $30m when he left office in March 2014.

He said the DMO records also put the state’s external debt at about $45.15m as of December 31, 2014, nine months after he left office.

Obi therefore asked how a state whose recorded external debt was about $30m when he left office could have inherited $123.77m from his administration.

He said the facilities should instead be examined based on their approval, effectiveness, drawdown and repayment records.

Obi urges focus on citizens’ hardships

The former governor also urged political actors to focus on the economic and social challenges confronting Nigerians rather than engage in what he described as political distractions.

Explaining his earlier silence, Obi said he had been grieving the death of Ezeibe, whom he described as his elder brother and friend.

He added that his commitment to Nigeria remained intact despite his decision not to seek another governorship position.

“I remain committed to my country, Nigeria and its progress,” Obi said, urging political actors to concentrate on issues affecting citizens.