Otti Backs Obi, Says Former Governor Left $155 Million in Anambra Banks

Abia State Governor Alex Otti has backed former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi’s claim about the finances he left behind when he left office.

Otti said Obi left $155 million in three banks at the end of his tenure, adding that he personally advised the former governor to keep the money in dollars rather than naira.

The Abia governor made the statement while speaking to Arise News, in response to renewed claims by the Anambra State Government about debts allegedly left by Obi.

Otti said he had written about Obi’s financial management more than six years ago in a piece titled *“Prudence Over Profligacy,”* where he used the funds Obi left in Anambra to illustrate prudent government spending.

He said the allegations by the administration of Governor Chukwuma Soludo did not invalidate his earlier account or the financial position he said Obi left behind.

“If otherwise, the Anambra State Government should publish the debts,” Otti said.

Obi, who is now a presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, has previously denied claims that his administration left Anambra with significant debts and unpaid salaries.

The former governor has said the loans attributed to his administration were concessionary development facilities obtained from the Federal Government and the World Bank, rather than personal borrowing.

Otti’s comments add to the ongoing dispute over the financial position Obi handed over to his successor.