The All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council has questioned former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi’s record in office, particularly his claims about the state’s debt position when he left office in 2014.
In a statement signed by its spokesman, Dele Alake, the council said disclosures by the Anambra State Government showed that Obi’s administration contracted about $123.77 million in external loans during his eight-year tenure.
The council said the state government also reported that about $4.05 billion, or N5.4 trillion, was spent during Obi’s tenure and that eight external borrowings for projects including malaria control, erosion management, education and health care were outstanding when he left office on March 17, 2014.
The APC campaign council said subsequent administrations, including that of Governor Chukwuma Soludo, continued to service the loans.
It acknowledged that borrowing could be used for development but questioned Obi’s previous claims that he left Anambra without a debt burden.
The council also alleged that workers in some state ministries went unpaid during Obi’s tenure, citing a 2006 memo from his then-Chief of Staff, Chuks Ileogbunam, requesting payment of N15 million in monthly salaries owed to Water Corporation workers.
According to the council, Obi had previously promised to resign if it was established that workers were not paid as and when due.
The APC campaign council further criticised Obi over his recent solidarity visit to a person facing an Economic and Financial Crimes Commission trial, alleging unexplained wealth and corruption. It did not provide details of the case in the statement.
The council called on Obi to withdraw from the 2027 presidential race, citing his alleged promise to do so if it was established that his administration left liabilities in Anambra State.
Obi, who is the presidential candidate of the New Democratic Congress, has not responded to the allegations contained in the statement.
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