The Anambra State Government has issued a challenge to former governor Peter Obi, asking him to withdraw from the 2027 presidential race. In a statement on its official X account, the state's New Media Office questioned Obi's continued participation in the presidential campaign. This development comes amid allegations that Obi broke campaign promises regarding the state's debt and timely payment of workers' salaries.
According to the Anambra State Government, Obi had pledged to quit the presidential race if it was proven that he left Anambra in debt. Additionally, during his tenure as governor, Obi promised to resign if workers were not paid as and when due. The state government claims that Obi failed to fulfill both promises, alleging that he left office in 2014 with outstanding liabilities.
As evidence of the salary claim, the government released a letter dated April 25, 2006, allegedly signed by Chuks Iloegbunam, then Obi's Chief of Staff. The letter reportedly appealed for the payment of salary arrears owed to workers of the Anambra State Water Corporation. The corporation's monthly salary bill was around 15 million naira, and its workers had last been paid in February.
The state government further alleged that eight external borrowings contracted during Obi's administration remained outstanding, with a balance of 127.4 billion naira as of June 30, 2026. However, Obi has rejected these allegations, stating that his administration cleared over 35 billion naira in historical gratuities and arrears and left office without outstanding salaries, pensions, or certified contractor liabilities.
Obi also claimed that he would stop campaigning if anyone could establish that he left Anambra with outstanding debts or contractor liabilities. He separately claimed that over 2.13 billion naira meant for an erosion-control project was left untouched in a First Bank account when he left office.
The Anambra Government has disputed Obi's claim, saying the account cited was an Internally Generated Revenue Consolidated Revenue Account and that its records did not show the alleged 2.13 billion naira balance. The dispute has intensified ahead of the 2027 presidential election, with the Presidency and the APC Presidential Campaign Council also challenging Obi to honour his pledge.
Obi's representatives have maintained that his former administration will respond to the issues raised by the Anambra State Government. The challenge issued by the Anambra State Government has sparked a fresh controversy surrounding Obi's presidential ambitions.
Key points
- The Anambra State Government has challenged Peter Obi to withdraw from the 2027 presidential race, citing broken campaign promises.
- Obi's administration cleared over 35 billion naira in historical gratuities and arrears, according to Obi.
- The dispute has intensified ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
