A public feud between Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress, and Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State has intensified. The contention centers on Obi's financial record during his two terms as governor of Anambra State. The disagreement began with a podcast appearance by Izuchukwu Okafor, commissioner for Finance in Anambra State under Soludo's administration. Okafor stated that the current government is still repaying loan facilities accessed by previous governments, including Obi's.
Peter Obi has repeatedly claimed that he left Anambra State in 2014 with no debts to workers, contractors, or loans, and a surplus of N75 billion in cash and investments. He has challenged anyone to prove him wrong, offering to forfeit his presidential ambition if his claims are discredited. Obi's assertions have been disputed by the Soludo administration, which has begun to scrutinize the state's financial records during Obi's tenure.
In response to Okafor's comments, Obi released a statement denying the existence of phantom debts and ecological loan fallacies. The Anambra State government, through its commissioner for Information, Dr. Law Mefor, released a statement titled "Gov Peter Obi and Record of Public Debt in Anambra: Facts Beyond Propaganda and Lies." The government aims to provide transparency and accountability, countering Obi's claims.
The Anambra State government has revealed that Peter Obi's administration spent approximately $4.05 billion (equivalent to N5.4 trillion at the current exchange rate) over eight years. Additionally, Obi's government contracted $123.77 million in external debt, which the current government has serviced with billions of Naira in payments. The state government seeks to clarify the facts surrounding public debt under Obi's tenure.
The current administration's focus is on delivering dividends of democracy to the people of Anambra State. However, the government feels compelled to respond to Obi's claims, given the significant resources spent servicing debts incurred during his time in office. The Soludo administration aims to provide a transparent account of the state's financial situation.
The dispute between Obi and Soludo has become a major controversy in Anambra State's politics. As the campaign season heats up, the war of words between the two prominent politicians is likely to intensify. The Nigerian Democratic Congress and other stakeholders will be watching closely, as this development may impact the presidential election.
The disagreement highlights the complexities of governance and financial management in Nigeria's states. The Anambra State government's efforts to provide transparency and accountability may set a precedent for other states to follow. Ultimately, the facts and records will determine the validity of Obi's claims and the financial situation he left behind in Anambra State.
Key points
- The Anambra State government disputes Peter Obi's claims of leaving no debts, revealing significant expenditures and debt incurred during his tenure.
