The Anambra State Government has publicly challenged former governor Peter Obi to quit the 2027 presidential race. In a statement released by the state’s New Media Office, the government accused Obi of breaching his campaign promises regarding the state’s debt profile and the timely payment of workers’ salaries. This challenge comes as Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, continues his campaign for the 2027 presidency.
According to the Anambra State Government, Obi had vowed to quit the presidential race if it was established 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 government claims that Obi breached both conditions, alleging that he left office in 2014 with heavier arrears. To support its claim on unpaid salaries, the government released a letter dated April 25, 2006, allegedly signed by Chuks Iloegbunam, Obi’s Chief of Staff at the time.
The released letter, titled “GUBERNATORIAL PREROGATIVE,” contains a “special appeal” to Obi to settle salary arrears owed to employees of the Anambra State Water Corporation. The letter highlights that the corporation had a monthly salary bill of about N15 million, while its workers had last received their salaries in February. The government also pointed to Obi’s campaign manifesto, which contained a pledge that the governor would resign “if there is any case where workers are not paid as and when due.”
The Anambra State Government’s accusation is part of a broader dispute between the administration of Governor Charles Soludo and Obi over the state’s financial position when the former governor left office in March 2014. On September 17, the state government, through the Commissioner for Information and Value Reorientation, Dr. Law Mefor, issued a statement titled “Gov Peter Obi and Record of Public Debt in Anambra: Facts Beyond Propaganda and Lies.” The government alleged that Obi left behind outstanding external loans as well as salary, pension, and gratuity arrears.
According to Dr. Mefor, Obi contracted $123.77 million in external debt for projects covering malaria control, erosion management, education, and healthcare. The loans are still being serviced by the current administration, with hundreds of millions of naira deducted monthly from the state’s federal allocation. Mefor also alleged that verified salary, gratuity, and pension arrears were left for retired teachers and staff of the Water Corporation.
Obi has rejected the allegations made by the state government. He maintained that he left office without unpaid salaries, pensions, gratuities, or obligations to contractors whose jobs had been processed and certified. Obi also said his administration cleared more than ₦35 billion in historical gratuities and arrears. The former governor further pledged to stop campaigning for the 2027 presidency if the Anambra State Government could produce evidence that he left debts or owed any contractor.
The dispute between the Anambra State Government and Obi continues to escalate, with both parties presenting conflicting claims about the state’s financial position under Obi’s administration. As the 2027 presidential race approaches, it remains to be seen how this public spat will affect Obi’s campaign and the political landscape in Anambra State. The state government’s challenge has added another layer of complexity to Obi’s presidential bid.
Key points
- The Anambra State Government has challenged Peter Obi to quit the 2027 presidential race, accusing him of breaching promises on the state’s debt profile and timely payment of workers’ salaries.
- Obi has rejected the allegations, claiming he left office without unpaid salaries, pensions, or debts.
- The dispute between the state government and Obi continues to escalate, with both parties presenting conflicting claims about the state’s financial position under Obi’s administration.
